County medical director urges dengue awareness; residents told to remove standing water

Dr. Eric McLaughlin, Cochise County public-health medical director, told attendees that dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and urged residents to reduce mosquito breeding sites and protect themselves from bites.

Dr. McLaughlin outlined clinical features — high fever (about 103–104°F), severe muscle aches, nausea and the danger sign of bleeding — and said testing (PCR) is widely available. “If you’re not getting bit by the mosquitoes, you can’t get sick,” he said, and detailed prevention measures including insect repellent with about 30–35% DEET, use of screens and air conditioning, long clothing outdoors and permethrin applied to clothing (not skin).

He noted that dengue is not widely transmitted in Cochise County at present but there is active transmission in neighboring Sonora, Mexico, and many local cases are travel-associated. “A lot of the cases we’re seeing are vacationers who go across the line or go back to visit friends and family, and they acquire dengue and then bring it back,” he said.

Why it matters: Aedes mosquitoes bite during daytime and breed in small containers and standing water. Dr. McLaughlin encouraged residents to clear gutters, flip plant saucers, remove tires and cover stored water to interrupt mosquito life cycles and reduce local risk.

Local staff described past community cleanup days that removed tires and appliances and credited those efforts with reducing standing water in neighborhoods; they asked cities and partners to help with drainage fixes in parks and problem lots.

Next steps: the health department plans to post the presentation on the Cochise County Public Health website and to continue outreach, particularly in areas bordering the international line.