Florida dengue outbreak largest in US for decades, officials say
Hillsborough County declares emergency as locally acquired cases surpass 250, marking the most significant surge since the 1940s.
Florida’s current dengue outbreak appears to be the largest in several decades in the continental United States, according to state health officials. Officials reported this week that more than 250 locally acquired cases of the mosquito-borne disease have been tallied so far this year. The vast majority of these infections are located in Hillsborough County, home to Tampa. Federal data suggests this marks the highest number of cases in a calendar year for any state since at least the 1940s.
Emergency Measures in Hillsborough
In response to the surge, officials in Hillsborough and surrounding counties have declared local emergencies. Workers in the Tampa area are spraying day and night to reduce the population of disease-transmitting mosquitoes. They are also checking properties for pooled water, including in tires, where mosquitoes might breed. The outbreak is centered just north of Tampa, with locally acquired cases surpassing travel-associated ones by a count of 252 to 245 as of last week.
Understanding the Disease
Dengue is caused by a virus spread by specific types of mosquitoes. While many infected people do not get sick, some experience fever, flu-like symptoms, and excruciating pain nicknamed "breakbone fever." Severe cases can cause bleeding, shock, and death. There has been one dengue-related death in Florida this year: an elderly Tampa woman who passed away on Sept. 4. Experts note that most people in the Tampa area do not have prior immunity to any form of the virus, as we reported in Florida Confirms First Dengue Death Amid Historic Outbreak Surge.
Prevention and Public Health
The warm-weather mosquitoes that spread dengue live in Florida, but experts say their geographic reach has expanded due to climate change. To prevent infection, experts recommend applying EPA-registered insect repellents containing active ingredients like DEET. Residents are advised to wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, stay indoors behind screens or in air-conditioned rooms, and eliminate pooled water on their property.
