Florida reports 152 local dengue cases and one death in Tampa area

Florida has recorded 152 locally acquired dengue cases in 2026, including more than 130 in Hillsborough County that represent nearly 90 percent of the state's reported infections. The Florida Department of Health confirmed a dengue-related death involving an elderly Tampa woman who died Sept. 4. The 152 figure is the second-highest annual total; 2023 had 172 locally acquired cases in official counts, while some sources say nearly 200. On September 18 Chris Wilkerson described the outbreak's scale as wildly unusual for us. Hillsborough County has expanded mosquito surveillance and control operations with spraying and property checks for standing water and is using helicopters and trucks to treat adult mosquitoes and larvae. Recent mosquito trap samples have tested negative. Orange County reported two additional locally acquired dengue cases on September 18. Pasco County reported a confirmed dengue case in August, and Miami-Dade issued a mosquito-borne illness alert after a locally acquired case in August. The Florida Department of Health identifies Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus as vectors present in the state. The CDC says approximately 1 in 4 dengue infections produce symptoms.