Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties in Florida have declared states of emergency as dengue fever cases continue to rise across the Tampa Bay region.
Hillsborough County issued its local emergency order on Thursday, while Pasco County declared an emergency a day earlier. Pinellas County commissioners also approved an emergency declaration during their Thursday meeting.
As of September 19, Tampa Bay had recorded 169 dengue cases, including 160 in Hillsborough County, seven in Pinellas and two in Pasco, according to Florida Department of Health data. Florida has reported 392 dengue cases involving both locally acquired and travel-related infections, while 38 new locally acquired cases were reported during the latest week.
The emergency declarations are intended to support local mosquito-control efforts and provide access to additional resources. Pinellas County officials said mosquito-control teams have been visiting properties and conducting spraying operations. The county could also spend additional funds on chemicals, overtime and outside services to expand mosquito-control work.
Dengue is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, including Aedes species. Because mosquitoes can move across county boundaries, officials have stressed the need for coordinated efforts across the Tampa Bay region.
The outbreak has also been linked to a reported death. A Hillsborough County woman who died earlier in September was identified as the first known dengue-related fatality in Florida this year and the first such death reported in the Tampa Bay area in decades.
Health officials are urging residents to reduce mosquito breeding sites by emptying containers, gutters and buckets that collect standing water. Residents are also advised to remove discarded items such as old tyres and planters where water can accumulate and to report mosquito concerns to local authorities.
