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U.S. health officials are warning doctors about the spread of Dengue fever in South Florida from mosquitoes.
Florida International University infectious diseases expert Dr. Aileen Marty says most of the 132 cases in South Florida have been imported by travelers. She says only seven cases in Miami are "endemic" or resulted from a local mosquito bite.
Unfortunately, Dr. Marty says the hot weather makes the spread of Dengue worse because the virus grows better in the mosquito which also breeds faster in warmer weather.
Dr. Marty says not everyone infected with the virus will experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and bone pain.
But those who have had the Dengue virus before are at risk of developing a more severe case when re-infected.
"Repeat cases of Dengue can cause serious bleeding shock and death," according to Dr. Marty.