Florida Counties Declare Emergency Over Dengue Fever
Recently, several counties in Florida have declared a local state of emergency due to an increase in dengue fever cases. On September 24, Hillsborough County officials noted that there were 134 confirmed instances of this mosquito-borne illness, which is common in regions outside the United States. They emphasized that the spread of dengue fever represents “an immediate and widespread threat to public health, safety, and welfare” for both residents and visitors.
To manage this tropical disease, often referred to as breakbone fever due to the severe pain it inflicts, officials indicated that “immediate, aggressive, and continuous” actions are necessary. This may include pesticide use, public awareness campaigns, and planning emergency responses.
Dengue cases have risen in various parts of the US. In fact, in 2023, Long Beach and Pasadena reported the first known local cases in California.
Interestingly, the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes has even reached England, where authorities recently discovered Aedes aegypti in homes in East London.
Some scientists point to global warming as a factor likely to worsen climate-related diseases.
By declaring a local state of emergency, Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, can seek “any available and necessary state, federal, and local emergency funds, grants, financial assistance, and mutual aid” to combat mosquitoes that carry dengue. This initial declaration is set for one week but can be extended if needed.
Pasco and Pinellas counties, which are neighbors to Hillsborough, have also made similar declarations due to dengue-related concerns.
The Florida Department of Health recently reported 26 cases of dengue linked to international travel between September 13 and 19, and so far in 2026, there have been a total of 212 known travel-related cases in the state.
During the same time frame, Florida saw 38 locally acquired cases of dengue; this contributes to an overall total of 190 locally transmitted instances reported statewide, according to the health department.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides slightly different figures, noting that there have been 392 dengue cases reported in Florida this year, accompanied by varying county-level data.
Dengue is generally contracted through bites from certain mosquito species, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, both of which are found in Florida.
Symptoms typically emerge anywhere from three days to two weeks after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. These can include a sudden fever, severe headache, eye pain, joint and muscle aches, and potential bleeding. Gastrointestinal symptoms, like vomiting and diarrhea, may also occur in some cases.
Generally, symptoms last from four days to one week. A rarer, more serious form of the disease—dengue hemorrhagic fever—can be lethal without proper care.
Recently, Hillsborough County officials have expressed hope that dengue infections may decrease in the upcoming weeks. Notably, there have been no “mosquito test pools” testing positive in a recent period.
