Expert: Recent floods have brought heightened risk of Dengue Fever

MCALLEN, Texas – Heavy flooding has spurred heightened concern for Dengue Fever in the Rio Grande Valley.

Due to the heavy rains and the high humidity environment, there is a high threat of contracting Dengue Fever, said Dr. Eduardo Candanosa, MD.

Candanosa is a family and emergency medicine physician affiliated with South Texas Health System’s freestanding emergency departments.

“The importance is to give a message to the population of what to do as preventive measures to try to minimize the impact of all this,” he said.

Dengue Fever is caused by a virus transmitted through infected mosquitoes via a mosquito bite.

“The mosquito proliferates in a high humidity area or most commonly in standing water that is sometimes seen after heavy rains,” Dr. Candanosa said.

When a person is infected, the symptoms will begin to show between a two- and seven-day window.

“The symptoms consist of high fever, high and difficult to control fevers, and flu-like symptoms, a lot of muscle pains and joint pains,” he said.” The majority of times, fortunately the condition is self-limiting and after a few days or a couple of weeks the condition can just go by itself.”

Currently, there is no antiviral medication available, Dr. Candanosa said.

“In certain percentages of the cases the disease, the illness can proliferate to a more severe form of the disease, we call it Hemorrhagic Dengue and that’s a different story, he added. “The infection starts involving internal organs, blood and then we have a more serious condition where the patient needs to have in-hospital treatment.”

Common in tropical and subtropical climates, dengue fever is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. In the United States, there were nearly 3,000 cases of dengue fever reported in 2024, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the Valley, nine cases were reported at South Texas Health System facilities alone last year. This year, one case of dengue fever has been reported at an STHS facility to date. 

Dr. Candanosa said being vigilant of Dengue Fever is a yearly thing based on the high humidity area.

“Every year, we stress preventive measures, diagnosis and what to do in case of infection to the population,” he said.

Dr. Candanosa recommends the following to minimize exposure to the virus.

“By far, the most important thing is to take care of the standing water that we have outside,” he stressed. “Texas is well-known to have cases every year. We are always vigilant to it.”

In addition, putting on insect repellant, and wearing proper clothing can help curve exposure.

“If the patient has symptoms, it’s important to get medical attention right away,” Dr. Candanosa stressed. “They can go to their PCP, pediatrician, or emergency rooms.”

Tips to avoid Dengue Fever

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To help avoid dengue outbreaks following the region’s recent flooding, South Texas Health System offers the following prevention tips to protect you and your loved ones:

Remove standing water: After a flood, stagnant water pools can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, so it’s important to eliminate them. That includesdiscarded tires, clogged gutters and air conditioner drip trays.

Empty and scrub containers: Regularly drain and clean containers that hold water like tarps, buckets, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers or trash containers. 

Tidy up your yard: Keep your yard and surrounding areas tidy to prevent the accumulation of water-holding items.

Keep mosquitoes out of your home: Repair holes in screens and keep windows and doors closed to ensure mosquitos don’t have a way in.

Stay indoors during peak mosquito activity: Avoid being outdoors during peak mosquito biting hours, which are typically dawn and dusk.

Use insect repellent: When spending time outside, apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Use an EPA-registered repellant that contains 20-30% DEET or other ingredients known to keep mosquitos away.

Wear protective clothing: Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover your skin. 

“The best way to prevent dengue fever is to avoid getting bit by mosquitoes,” says Dr. Candanosa. “By adhering to these tips, you can reduce your risk for dengue fever, as well as other mosquito-borne illnesses.”

If you suspect you or a loved one has dengue fever, seek immediate medical attention, Candanosa said.

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