Florida dengue cases climb past 250 as local transmission continues
Key Points(5)
- Florida has reported 252 locally acquired dengue cases across seven counties this year, with Hillsborough County accounting for the vast majority as health officials expand mosquito-control efforts in the Tampa Bay region.
- The Florida Department of Health reported 62 additional locally acquired cases in its Week 38 surveillance report, bringing the statewide total through Sept.
- 26 to 252, compared with 190 cases reported through the previous week.
- Hillsborough County accounted for 223 cases, or nearly 88% of the statewide total.
- Other locally acquired cases were reported in Pinellas County, with 13, followed by Miami-Dade with eight; Orange and Pasco counties with three each; and Palm Beach and Polk counties with one each.
Florida has reported 252 locally acquired dengue cases this year, including 223 in Hillsborough County, as mosquito-control efforts expand across the state and health officials warn residents to take precautions against the virus.
The Florida Department of Health's Week 38 report added 62 locally acquired cases to the state total through Sept. 26, up from 190 reported through Week 37.
Hillsborough County accounts for about 88% of the locally acquired cases. Other cases have been reported in Pinellas County (13), Miami-Dade (8), Orange (3), Pasco (3), Palm Beach (1) and Polk (1).
Florida also has reported 245 travel-associated dengue cases this year, including 201 linked to travel to Cuba.
Dengue virus type 2, or DENV-2, accounts for 230 of the 232 locally acquired cases that have been serotyped by PCR. The other two were DENV-3.
Mosquito surveillance has also detected DENV-2. Twenty Aedes aegypti mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus, including 19 in Hillsborough County and one in Pasco County.
Florida recorded 62 locally acquired dengue cases during all of 2025. The 252 cases reported through Sept. 26 represent an increase of 190 cases, or roughly 306%, compared with last year's total.
The Florida Department of Health confirmed the state's first dengue-related death of 2026 on Sept. 18. The Tampa Bay Times reported that an 80-year-old Hillsborough County woman died at Tampa General Hospital on Sept. 4, with dengue infection, septic shock and multi-organ failure listed on her death certificate.
Broward reports locally acquired case
The Florida Department of Health in Broward County has also confirmed a human case of locally acquired dengue fever.
DOH-Broward said it is coordinating with Broward County Mosquito Control on surveillance, prevention and control efforts following the case.
Dengue is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito and is not spread directly from person to person. Symptoms can include fever, severe muscle and joint pain and, in some cases, a rash. Respiratory symptoms are generally not associated with dengue.
Symptoms can develop within 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.
DOH-Broward is urging residents to reduce their risk of mosquito bites by wearing loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants and using insect repellent registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on exposed skin and clothing. When used as directed, EPA-registered repellents are considered safe and effective, including for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Residents are also being encouraged to reduce mosquito breeding sites around their homes by draining standing water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots and other containers. Damaged screens on windows, doors, porches and patios should also be repaired.
Mosquito control expands in Hillsborough
Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties declared local emergencies in response to the outbreak in late September. Hillsborough and Pinellas extended their declarations through Oct. 8, while Pasco's initial declaration covered seven days beginning Sept. 23.
Hillsborough County scheduled nighttime helicopter applications of Dibrom, an adult mosquito-control product, over portions of Temple Terrace and the University area and communities stretching from Thonotosassa to Bloomingdale. The applications were scheduled from 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 through 6 a.m. Oct. 8.
The county also scheduled daytime aerial applications of liquid Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) from Oct. 5-9 to target mosquito larvae in standing water in East Lake, East Tampa, Palm River and West Bloomingdale.
Mosquito-control districts from Manatee and Lee counties are assisting with the efforts.
Hillsborough County said mosquito traps in multiple neighborhoods continue to show dengue virus activity.
What residents should know
The CDC says Aedes mosquitoes can bite during the day and at night. Recommended precautions include using insect repellent, wearing loose-fitting long sleeves and pants, keeping windows and doors screened or using air conditioning, and removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
Dengue symptoms can include fever, aches and pains, nausea, vomiting and a rash. The CDC estimates that about one in four people infected with dengue develop symptoms, and about one in 20 people who become ill develop severe dengue, which can cause shock, internal bleeding and death.
Anyone experiencing symptoms after possible exposure to dengue should contact a health care provider. Severe symptoms or warning signs require immediate medical attention.
