Stories
Florida Faces Record Dengue Outbreak as Local Cases Surge in US
- •Florida has reported over 250 locally acquired dengue cases this year, surpassing previous annual records and prompting states of emergency in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.
- •While Florida frequently records travel-associated dengue, widespread local transmission concentrated around Tampa is highly unusual compared to historical outbreaks in South Florida.
- •The virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, with warmer temperatures, climate conditions, and travel patterns contributing to the surge.
- •Symptoms include sudden fever, severe headaches, and muscle pain, and while most people recover, about 5 per cent of cases can progress to severe dengue.
- •Health authorities urge residents to use EPA-registered insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and eliminate standing water to prevent mosquito breeding.
Key Questions Answered
Florida is facing its largest dengue outbreak in decades, with over 250 locally acquired cases recorded this year, primarily concentrated in Hillsborough County around Tampa. The surge has prompted local states of emergency in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, with factors like warmer temperatures, climate conditions, and travel patterns potentially influencing the spread.
About three in four infected people develop no symptoms, while those who do experience sudden fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint or muscle pain, nausea, and sometimes a rash. Approximately 5 percent of cases progress to severe disease involving internal bleeding, shock, or organ failure, and a second infection can sometimes develop into dangerous dengue haemorrhagic fever.
The most effective protection is avoiding mosquito bites by using EPA-registered insect repellents, wearing protective clothing that covers arms and legs, and keeping windows closed or screened. Additionally, residents should eliminate standing water around homes—even tiny amounts in plastic bags—to destroy mosquito breeding sites.
