Tejal Somvanshi
Hillsborough and Pinellas counties in the Tampa Bay area declared states of emergency after locally acquired dengue cases surged past 170, with Polk County separately confirming a locally acquired case on September 24. The cases driving the emergency declarations are locally acquired — transmitted by mosquitoes in the affected area, not brought in by travelers.
Hillsborough and Pinellas counties issued emergency declarations on September 24. Pinellas County’s official resolution recorded 143 confirmed cases across the tri-county region at the time of the declaration — 134 in Hillsborough, 7 in Pinellas, and 2 in Pasco. A separate Pinellas County update from the same date placed the tri-county total at 179, showing how quickly the count was changing. Polk County health officials separately confirmed a locally acquired dengue case and launched surveillance, treatment, and community outreach on September 24.
Residents in affected counties should expect municipal mosquito-control spraying in their area. If you develop sudden high fever, severe eye pain, or joint aches, avoid ibuprofen or aspirin — these medications increase bleeding risk in dengue patients. Contact a healthcare provider if you have symptoms consistent with dengue.
What to Know About Dengue Symptoms and Transmission
Related Karmactive coverage: Karmactive dengue mosquito-control coverage and Karmactive dengue mosquito-control coverage.
Dengue fever is transmitted primarily by infected Aedes mosquitoes; it does not typically spread from person to person. Symptoms appear 4 to 10 days after a bite and include sudden high fever up to 104°F, intense pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle aches sometimes called “breakbone fever,” nausea, and skin rash. Seek emergency care if abdominal pain or persistent vomiting develops — these can indicate severe dengue, which is life-threatening.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito bites primarily during daylight hours — early morning and late afternoon — unlike the night-biting mosquitoes most Floridians are accustomed to avoiding. Standard repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus work against Aedes mosquitoes. Eliminate standing water in containers, gutters, and plant saucers around your property, as these create breeding sites.
For guidance on reducing mosquito breeding at home and EPA-approved repellent options, see the linked resources.
The September 24 Pinellas County totals are the most recently confirmed tri-county figures available; Polk County’s case is tracked separately by the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. Official case counts are being updated frequently, so use the Florida Department of Health arbovirus surveillance page for current numbers rather than any earlier total.
Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Polk counties are providing ongoing updates through their health departments. Residents with symptoms should contact their county health department or a healthcare provider. Check the Florida Department of Health arbovirus surveillance page for updated case counts as the situation develops.
Primary source links: pinellas.gov, cdc.gov.
