Florida health officials confirmed 524 locally acquired dengue cases this year, marking the largest outbreak of the virus in the state in decades.
The total climbed after the Florida Department of Health recorded 39 new cases during the final week of October. State records show 12 counties now reporting local transmission.
Tampa Bay remains the hardest-hit area. Hillsborough County alone accounts for 407 of the statewide total, while Pinellas County has reported 80 cases. Miami-Dade County has logged 12 infections, and Palm Beach County 1. Smaller numbers have appeared in other counties.
State officials reported one death related to the illness in Hillsborough County on September 18. A death certificate identified the patient as 80-year-old Gay Small, noting the cause as dengue infection along with septic shock and multi-organ failure, according to reports.
The current figures far surpass previous outbreaks. Last year, Florida recorded 62 locally acquired cases, while the state logged 199 cases in 2023.
Local jurisdictions have moved to expand vector control operations. Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties declared states of emergency in late September to expedite equipment purchases and spraying. Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise extended the local emergency order through November 12.
The designation grants officials the ability to quickly take certain actions to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community, and provides a path for federal reimbursement of certain expenses,
according to county statements.
Mosquito management teams have deployed aerial and ground spraying across the region. In Broward County, heavy rainfall that dropped up to 15 to 20 inches of water in parts of the county prompted a separate mosquito-borne illness alert as standing water pooled in parking lots and playgrounds.
Public health experts emphasize that the virus is spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which thrive in warm, humid residential areas and bite primarily during daylight hours. Officials describe the insects as container breeders,
noting they can lay eggs in as little as a tablespoon of standing water.
Common symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, and body aches. The illness is also called breakbone fever
due to the pain it causes.
While most infected individuals recover within one to two weeks, about one in 20 people develop severe dengue, which can involve persistent vomiting, bleeding, and organ failure requiring emergency medical care.
In addition to locally acquired infections, Florida health officials have recorded more than 300 travel-associated dengue cases across the state this year. International travel-related cases added 27 entries during the week of October 25 through October 31 alone, bringing the annual travel-related total to 382 infections.
The vast concentration of the outbreak remains centered on the west coast. Hillsborough County alone represents approximately 78% of all locally acquired cases recorded across the entire state of Florida.
Statewide arbovirus data show that regional mosquito surveillance teams have identified 20 virus-positive mosquito pools.
Financial strains accompany the vector control measures. Mosquito abatement efforts have cost Hillsborough County approximately $6 million over the course of the year. Meanwhile, independent mosquito control districts relying entirely on property taxes face potential budget cuts if constitutional tax measures pass, with agencies like the Pasco County Mosquito Control District projecting millions in operating budget reductions.
In South Florida, separate environmental factors heightened monitoring efforts. Broward County, Palm Beach County, and the Treasure Coast absorbed heavy downpours that left standing water across swales, residential yards, and roadways. Entomologists from the University of Florida and county mosquito control divisions noted that standing water left for more than a single week creates an ideal breeding medium for local mosquito populations.
To mitigate individual exposure, health organizations advise residents to apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to product label directions. Authorities also urge property owners to inspect yards on a weekly basis, clearing debris, cleaning gutters, and draining or covering containers, birdbaths, planters, and discarded tires.
Anyone experiencing sudden high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, or warning signs of severe illness—such as extreme lethargy, persistent vomiting, or bleeding—should consult a qualified healthcare professional immediately for clinical evaluation and appropriate medical care.
Earlier coverage: Florida Dengue Fever Outbreak Prompts Alert and Mosquito Control