Dangerous mosquito-borne virus spreads in Florida as officials warn of rising cases
Florida mosquito-control agencies are stepping up surveillance, inspections and spraying, as officials expect the number of locally acquired dengue fever cases in Tampa Bay and across the state to rise in the coming weeks.As of Sept.1, the number of dengue fever cases originating in Florida this year had climbed to 33 in Tampa Bay and 41 statewide.
Cases are predicted to increase, Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported.Locally acquired cases mean people contracted the illness where they live rather than while traveling abroad.The Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA) reported 30 confirmed cases in Hillsborough County, seven in Miami-Dade County, three in Pinellas County and one in Palm Beach County.Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are under mosquito-borne illness alerts issued by the Florida Department of HealthDengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, severe aches, nausea, rash and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The virus is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa.Though less common in the continental US, locally acquired cases have been recorded in Florida, California and Texas.Hawaii has recorded past outbreaks, and the virus is common in the US territories of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and American Samoa.The CDC reported in May that 2024 was a record year for dengue in the US.A total of 3,798 cases were reported from US states and the District of Columbia, a 359% increase over the annual average for 2010 through 2023.
About 97% of those cases were travel-associated, and roughly 3% were locally acquired.Florida reported the most dengue cases among US states and Washington, DC, in 2024, with 1,044 cases, or more than a quarter of the total.Florida recorded 85 locally acquired cases across 10 counties that year, compared with 18 in California and two in Texas“Den...