Key Takeaway:
- Florida reported its first dengue death in a Hillsborough County outbreak with 134 locally acquired cases.
- Dengue spreads through infected Aedes mosquitoes and can cause severe, life-threatening illness.
- Prevention depends on avoiding mosquito bites and removing standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Florida health officials confirmed Sept. 18 a dengue death in Florida after an elderly Hillsborough County woman died amid 134 locally acquired cases reported there since July, underscoring the disease’s expanding U.S. reach.
Florida County Reports First Dengue Death
The Florida Department of Health confirmed the death but did not release identifying details, citing family privacy. The death is the first reported in the county during the current outbreak, which has produced 134 locally acquired cases, according to state surveillance data.
The dengue death in Florida comes as Hillsborough County accounts for most of the state’s locally acquired cases, with 41 new cases reported statewide during the week ending Sept. 12. State data show 41 new locally acquired cases were reported statewide during the week ending Sept. 12, including 39 in Hillsborough County.
“This is wildly unusual for us,” Chris Wilkerson, a spokesperson for Hillsborough County, told The Associated Press. The county had reported only a small number of locally acquired infections in typical years.
Infected Mosquitoes Spread Dengue
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti, which is established in Florida. The mosquitoes can breed in small amounts of standing water, and they commonly bite during daylight hours.
Most dengue infections produce no symptoms or only mild illness. When symptoms occur, they commonly include sudden fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and rash. Severe dengue can cause bleeding, shock and organ damage.
The illness can be difficult to distinguish from other viral infections, particularly where local transmission is uncommon. Warning signs of severe disease include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding and marked weakness or restlessness, which require urgent medical attention.
Most dengue cases reported in the continental United States are still associated with travel to areas where the virus circulates. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says limited local transmission has occurred in Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Arizona and California.
Global Dengue Surge Raises U.S. Concerns
The World Health Organization reported more than 14.4 million dengue cases in 2024, the highest level recorded, with transmission reported in more than 100 countries. WHO says changing mosquito distribution, rising temperatures, rainfall, humidity and population movement are among factors associated with increased transmission.
Florida health officials have urged residents to reduce mosquito exposure as local infections increase. On Sept. 4, State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo advised Floridians to use insect repellent, cover exposed skin and remove standing water around homes.
“There are simple steps” residents can take to protect themselves and their communities, Ladapo said, emphasizing mosquito-bite prevention and removal of breeding sites.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue. Supportive care includes fluids and acetaminophen for fever and pain; health authorities advise avoiding aspirin and ibuprofen because they can increase bleeding risk. Severe cases may require hospitalization and close monitoring.
The Florida outbreak illustrates how locally transmitted dengue can emerge where competent mosquito species are present, even though most U.S. infections remain travel-associated. Public health officials continue mosquito-control and surveillance efforts in Hillsborough County
