Florida’s dengue outbreak reportedly largest US has seen in decades

A dengue fever outbreak in the state of Florida appears to have grown to the largest in the continental U.S. in decades, totaling 252 reported cases this year in the Sunshine State according to an update this week.

Dengue fever, which is transmitted through infected mosquito bites, is rarely fatal and most infected people do not experience symptoms. However, it can cause fever, eye and joint pain, nausea and rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Last month, Florida reported one death from the virus of an elderly woman in Tampa.

Hillsborough County had the highest level of reports, with a total of 223 locally-spread cases. Hillsborough encompasses the Tampa area and is the fourth-most populous county in the state.

County officials have declared a state of emergency amid this outbreak, with Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise extending this order this week amid ongoing efforts to control the local mosquito population.

The county is encouraging residents to take steps to mitigate the spread of this virus, including draining stagnant water, wearing protective clothing when going outside and using bug spray.

Florida routinely sees some of the highest levels of reported dengue contractions in the continental U.S. The state’s warm weather is conducive for the breed of mosquitos that spreads dengue. In 2023, Florida reported 200 locally-spread cases.

In the U.S. more broadly, Puerto Rico also sees high levels of dengue. The territory reported 922 of the total 2,145 locally-acquired cases in the country this year, according to the CDC.

The largest-ever outbreak in the U.S. occurred in Hawaii over a six month period between 2015 and 2016, with a total of 264 locally-acquired cases.