Florida mosquito-control agencies are ramping up surveillance, inspections, and spraying operations. These measures come as officials predict an increase in locally acquired dengue fever cases across Tampa Bay and the state.
As of September 1, Florida reported 33 dengue fever cases originating in Tampa Bay and 41 cases statewide. Fox 13 Tampa Bay noted that cases could continue to rise. These locally acquired cases indicate that individuals contracted the illness in their home area rather than during international travel.
A deadly mosquito-borne virus led to the first fatality in a major U.S. city, with cases proliferating.
The Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA) confirmed 30 cases in Hillsborough County, seven in Miami-Dade County, three in Pinellas County, and one in Palm Beach County. Mosquito-borne illness alerts are active in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, issued by the Florida Department of Health.
Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes. It causes fever, severe aches, nausea, rash, and, in some instances, life-threatening complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions like Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America, and Africa. While less common in the continental U.S., cases have occurred in Florida, California, and Texas.
Past outbreaks have been recorded in Hawaii. The virus is also common in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
In May, the CDC reported that 2024 saw a record number of dengue cases in the U.S. A total of 3,798 cases were reported from U.S. states and the District of Columbia, marking a 359% increase compared to the yearly average from 2010 to 2023. Approximately 97% of these cases were related to travel, while nearly 3% were locally acquired.
Florida recorded the highest number of dengue cases among U.S. states and Washington, D.C., in 2024, with 1,044 cases, accounting for more than a quarter of the total. That year, Florida reported 85 locally acquired cases across 10 counties, while California had 18 cases and Texas had two.
Pinellas County Mosquito Control Director Alissa Berro explained to Fox 13, “Dengue does not stop at county lines. The mosquitoes that transmit the virus generally remain within a small area. However, people travel throughout the Tampa Bay area daily. An infected person can enter a new area, resulting in local mosquitoes transmitting the virus after biting them, raising the risk of local transmission.”
Mitigating the Spread
Florida mosquito-control crews are enhancing aerial and ground treatment plans in dengue-affected areas. They are inspecting private properties for potential mosquito breeding grounds.
The FMCA recommends residents eliminate or cover standing water around their homes. The mosquito responsible for spreading dengue breeds in containers like buckets, planters, plant saucers, tires, toys, and other items that hold small amounts of water.
The FMCA suggests adhering to the “three Ds”:
- Dress in long sleeves, light colors, and closed-toed shoes outdoors.
- Defend with repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Dump standing water from containers around your home, routinely checking your yard.
Many dengue-infected individuals show no symptoms, but most who become sick recover within one to two weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. In some cases, the illness can progress to severe dengue, posing a potentially life-threatening risk.
Warning signs of severe dengue can appear quickly, sometimes within a day or two after the fever subsides. These symptoms may include severe stomach pain, repeated vomiting, unusual bleeding or bruising, difficulty breathing, extreme tiredness, irritability, or restlessness.
Individuals experiencing severe dengue symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
Teresa Mull, a Lifestyle team freelance writer at Fox News Digital, reported the developments.