The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has confirmed the first case of dengue fever on Guam for 2025. The laboratory-confirmed case was reported on Sept. 18, and health officials determined through investigation that the illness was most likely imported.
While dengue fever is not endemic to Guam, the island does have the mosquito species capable of transmitting the virus. Health officials stressed that the disease cannot spread directly from person to person, but residents and visitors who travel to areas where dengue is common remain at risk of infection through mosquito bites.
DPHSS advised the public to watch for symptoms such as fever, aches and pains, rash, and mild bleeding around the nose or gums. Severe cases, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, heavy bleeding, or restlessness and require immediate emergency care. Infected individuals should remain indoors while febrile to prevent mosquitoes from picking up and spreading the virus.
To reduce the risk of transmission, DPHSS urged the community to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by clearing standing water and to take precautions such as using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing. For more information, residents can contact the Mosquito Surveillance and Control Program at (671) 300-9579 or email Environmental Public Health Officer Niel Tirador.