Tampa Bay Dengue Fever Outbreak

Dangerous mosquito-borne virus spreads in one state as officials warn of rising cases. Florida mosquito-control agencies are stepping up surveillance, inspections and spraying, as officials expect the number of locally acquired dengue fever cases in Tampa Bay and across the state to rise in the coming weeks. As of September 1st 2026, the number of dengue fever cases originating in Florida in 2026 had climbed to 33 in Tampa Bay and 41 statewide.

Cases are predicted to increase. Locally acquired cases mean people contracted the illness where they live rather than while traveling abroad. The Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA) reported 30 confirmed cases in Hillsborough County, 7 in Miami-Dade County, 3 in Pinellas County, and 1 in Palm Beach County.

Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are under mosquito-borne illness alerts issued by the Florida Department of Health. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, severe aches, nausea, rash and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications. The virus is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America, and Africa.

Though less common in the continental United States, locally acquired dengue cases have been recorded in Florida, California, and Texas.

Hawaii has recorded past

ofollow”>outbreaks, and the virus is common in the United States territories of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 2024 was a record year for dengue in the United States. A total of 3,798 cases were reported from U.S. states and the District of Columbia, a 359% increase over the annual average for 2010 through 2023.

About 97% of those cases were travel-associated, and roughly 3% were locally acquired. Florida reported the most dengue cases among U.S. states in 2024. Florida recorded 85 locally acquired cases across 10 counties in 2024, compared with 18 in California and 2 in Texas.

Dengue does not stop at county lines. The mosquitoes that transmit the virus generally stay within a relatively small area, but people travel throughout the Tampa Bay area every day. When someone infected with dengue enters a new area, a local mosquito can bite that person and later spread the virus to others.

As dengue cases rise across the region, so does the potential for additional local transmission.

Mosquito-control crews in Florida are increasing aerial and ground treatments in areas showing dengue virus activity, while also inspecting private properties for potential mosquito breeding sites. FMCA is urging residents to empty or cover standing water around their homes. The mosquito that spreads dengue is a container breeder, meaning it lays eggs in buckets, planters, plant saucers, tires, discarded toys and other objects that collect small amounts of water.

The FMCA also advises people to dress in long sleeves, light colors, and closed-toed shoes outdoors. Use a repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Dump standing water from containers around the home, and check yards regularly.

Many people infected with dengue have no symptoms, and most people who do become sick recover within a week or two. In some cases, however, the illness can progress to severe dengue, a potentially life-threatening condition. Warning signs can develop quickly, often within a day or two after the fever subsides.

Warning signs may include severe stomach pain, repeated vomiting, unusual bleeding or bruising, difficulty breathing, extreme tiredness and irritability, or restlessness. People experiencing warning signs of severe dengue should seek immediate medical care.