Virginia Department of Health Confirms First Locally Acquired Dengue Case

The Virginia Department of Health announced that a Northern Virginia resident contracted dengue without any recent travel, marking the state’s first documented locally acquired case. The infection, confirmed on August 4, 2026, is believed to have been transmitted by a local Aedes mosquito that first bit an internationally infected traveler and then bit the patient.

State and local health officials said there is currently no evidence of ongoing transmission and no additional cases have been reported. Mosquito surveillance and monitoring efforts have been intensified to prevent further spread, but officials stress that the overall risk of dengue in Virginia remains low.

Dengue, a mosquito‑borne viral disease common in tropical regions, can cause mild illness or severe complications such as internal bleeding and organ failure. The Virginia case underscores the potential for isolated local transmission in areas where the Aedes mosquito is present.