Dengue-carrying mosquitoes expand their reach into new territories – including Florida
As dengue spreads further outside its normal tropical zones, doctors and patients need to know what to watch for.
An elderly woman in Florida died from dengue fever in September 2026, although the Florida Department of Health has not yet confirmed the cause of death. This death is believed to be part of a larger dengue outbreak in Hillsborough County, where there have been 95 documented cases since July 2026. In August, the Hillsborough County Health Department issued a mosquito-borne illness alert following reports of multiple locally acquired cases, highlighting the spread of this disease beyond tropical regions.
Dengue, often called "breakbone fever," is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti, found in warm cities and capable of breeding in small amounts of standing water. These mosquitoes bite during the day, not just at dusk, and the cycle involves the mosquito biting an infected person, then biting another person days later to transmit the virus.
Symptoms typically include a sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and deep aches in muscles, joints, and bones. Nausea, vomiting, and a blotchy rash may also occur. Many infected individuals do not show symptoms, but 25% experience symptoms four to ten days after being bitten. Dengue progresses to severe dengue in about 1 in 20 cases, characterized by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, extreme fatigue, and blood in vomit or stool.
Severe dengue can be fatal in up to 10% of patients, but early recognition and hospital care can significantly reduce mortality.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue; management focuses on supporting the body with rest, fluids, and acetaminophen. Patients must avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, which can increase bleeding risk. Severe cases require hospitalization for intravenous fluids and close monitoring. Preventing dengue involves avoiding mosquito bites, as the available vaccine is only recommended for specific high-risk groups.
Dengue cases worldwide have surged, with over 14 million reported in 2024, a 2,600% increase from 2000. While most U.S. cases are travel-related, the risk remains high in warm states like Florida, which has seen over 300 locally acquired cases. Travelers returning from dengue-prone areas should seek medical attention promptly if they develop fever after mosquito exposure.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
