Key West, FL has reported 28 cases of dengue fever since July 2009 – prior to July 2009 dengue was absent from the continental U.S. since 1945 and from Florida since 1934. Why dengue has returned to Florida is still being investigated but some contributing factors might be an increase in mosquitoes capable of delivering the disease, an increase in international travel to areas where dengue fever is more common (Key West is, after all, a Caribbean destination — see below), and the popularity of south Florida as a vacation destination.

Travelers headed to Africa, the South Pacific, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Middle East are reminded to take precautions to guard against the mosquito while traveling.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a high number of cases of dengue fever, are being reported from the following areas:
Africa
Cape Verde, Senegal, and the Indian Ocean islands of Mayotte and Reunion

South Pacific
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the northern parts of Queensland, Australia

Central and South America and the Caribbean
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Peru and Puerto Rico

Middle East
Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)

Meanwhile,the polio outbreak in Tajikistan seems to be spreading to the borders it shares with Uzbekistan.   An additional 261 cases have been reported since our post in early May.  The CDC is reminding travelers headed to these areas to talk to their doctors regarding the necessary vaccinations for children and those previously vaccinated. 

When traveling into any area affected by an outbreak, be smart, protect yourself however you can, and practice good hygiene.