MASSACHUSETTS – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 cases of dengue fever have been reported in Massachusetts so far this year, with between one and four of them in Worcester County.

The CDC issued a health alert earlier this week saying there is an increased risk of the disease in the United States. The disease is more common in tropical climates such as the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, but more than twice as many cases have been reported there so far this year compared to 2023.

The disease, transmitted through mosquito bites, can cause fever, rash, headache or muscle aches and, in severe cases, even death. Ford's Hometown Services in Worcester works on pest control and says something like a bottle cap of water in your yard can cause hundreds, if not thousands, of mosquitoes.

“The breeding season for mosquitoes is basically the hotter it is, the faster it goes,” Lucas Ford said. “It can take a day or two for an egg to hatch. But in June and even April, we had some really hot days. It kind of kicked the season off and populations got a huge head start compared to those that take a while to warm up.”

Ford recommends removing standing water from the yard and wearing insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing.

According to the CDC, you should seek professional help if you experience symptoms similar to dengue fever. They also recommend getting tested if you have traveled to a place where the virus is more common.