Dengue‑carrying mosquitoes expand their reach into new territories—including Florida

The Tampa Bay Times reported a death on September 8, 2026, which local doctors attributed to dengue fever, though the Florida Department of Health has not confirmed it. This is one of 95 documented cases in Hillsborough County since July 2026. In August, the Hillsborough County Health Department issued a mosquito-borne illness alert due to multiple locally acquired cases.

Dengue is known as "breakbone fever" due to its symptoms of sudden high fever, headache, eye and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. It is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti, which thrive in warm climates and can breed in small amounts of standing water. Many infected individuals show no symptoms, but 25% develop dengue fever with symptoms appearing 4-10 days after infection.

About 1 in 20 patients progress to severe dengue, a potentially life-threatening condition. Dengue is not contagious person-to-person but spreads through mosquito bites. There is no cure for dengue, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and supporting the body. Prevention includes avoiding mosquito bites, using insect repellent, and eliminating standing water.

The World Health Organization recorded over 14 million dengue cases globally in 2024, marking the highest number ever. Dengue is spreading beyond tropical regions into new territories, including Florida, where Miami-Dade County has recorded over 300 locally acquired cases since 2010. Travelers returning from dengue-prone areas can introduce the virus to new regions.