Florida health authorities have issued public health alerts and advisories following a sudden surge in both travel-associated and locally acquired dengue fever cases.
Key Details on the Outbreak
- Locally Acquired Surge: While the vast majority of U.S. dengue cases are historically linked to international travel, Florida health officials confirmed a rapid spike in locally transmitted cases.
- Affected Counties: Concentration of local transmission has centered heavily around the Tampa Bay and South Florida regions, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.
- Local Alerts: Counties experiencing active transmission—such as Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Miami-Dade—have placed residents under mosquito-borne illness alerts, prompting county mosquito control agencies to scale up spraying, barrier treatments, and larvicide applications.
What to Know About Dengue Fever
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes—primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It is not contagious directly between humans.
| Category | Key Information |
| Common Symptoms | High fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint/muscle pain (“breakbone fever”), nausea, and skin rash. |
| Symptom Onset | Typically begins 4 to 10 days after an infected mosquito bite and lasts 2 to 7 days. |
| Treatment | There is no specific antiviral treatment; medical care focuses on symptom management and hydration. |
| Risk of Severity | Individuals infected with dengue a second time face a significantly higher risk of developing severe dengue (dengue hemorrhagic fever). |
Prevention Measures (“Drain and Cover”)
Health officials urge Florida residents and visitors to follow standard prevention guidelines to minimize mosquito breeding and bites:
- Drain Standing Water: Frequently empty flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet dishes, and birdbaths. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a bottle cap of stagnant water.
- Cover Skin: Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity hours (dawn and dusk).
- Apply Repellent: Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
- Protect the Home: Ensure window and door screens are intact and repaired to prevent mosquitoes from entering living spaces.
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