Three Florida counties are now operating under local states of emergency as a dangerous mosquito-borne disease spreads through the Tampa Bay region.

Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties issued the declarations after an explosive rise in locally acquired dengue fever—a painful viral illness often called “breakbone fever.”

Florida’s latest surveillance report counted 190 locally acquired infections this year and one confirmed death. Health officials called the outbreak “wildly unusual.”

Dengue is spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It does not usually pass directly from one person to another.

The New York Post reports that Florida has reached its second-highest annual total of locally acquired dengue cases on record, far above the 62 cases reported last year. Most dengue cases seen in the United States have historically been connected to travel, but the current Florida outbreak includes extensive local transmission by mosquitoes.

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The report says some infected people never develop symptoms, which means the official count may understate the true number of infections. Others can suffer fever, severe headache, nausea, rash and intense pain in the muscles, joints and bones.

Severe dengue can trigger bleeding, shock, organ failure or death. Florida health officials confirmed that an 80-year-old Tampa woman died during the outbreak after contracting the virus locally.

The emergency declarations are local, not statewide. They allow county administrators and emergency managers to speed mosquito-control spending, waive certain routine procedures and pursue reimbursement for emergency work.

The emergency response is already reaching daily life in Pinellas County, where officials are targeting one of the mosquito’s most dependable breeding grounds:

Hillsborough County says County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed its emergency order on September 24 so officials could move faster to control mosquito populations and protect residents. A local emergency can remain in effect for seven days unless it is extended or rescinded.

The county is using aerial and ground treatments in affected neighborhoods. Residents can register for alerts identifying locations where localized aerial treatment is planned, review the county’s treatment map and contact Mosquito Management about problem areas.

The declaration also gives officials a quicker path to emergency purchases, coordinated response work and possible reimbursement for eligible costs. It is designed to move crews and resources while the Florida Department of Health continues monitoring infections.

Pinellas County declared its own emergency after officials documented 143 confirmed cases across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco at the time of the order. The resolution also cited 21 potential cases still under investigation and gave the county administrator authority to accelerate mosquito-control work and related purchases.

That authority covers emergency contracts, staffing, equipment and supplies, along with inspection and abatement of stagnant-water sites where mosquitoes can breed. The order took effect at 3:52 p.m. on September 24.

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The regional number continued rising after those declarations:

Officials have reported some encouraging signs. Recent mosquito samples tested negative for the virus, and laboratory testing did not find evidence that infected female mosquitoes were passing dengue to their offspring.

Those results do not erase the threat from mosquitoes that bite an infected person and then carry the virus to someone else.

The Aedes mosquitoes responsible for spreading dengue often breed close to homes in buckets, flowerpot saucers, pet bowls, discarded tires and other small containers holding water. Their proximity to people makes household prevention an essential part of the response.

Florida officials are urging residents to drain standing water, repair window screens, wear clothing that covers exposed skin and use an EPA-registered insect repellent. Anyone experiencing possible dengue symptoms should contact a medical professional, while severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding or difficulty breathing require urgent care.

The declarations give local governments more power to attack the mosquitoes carrying this outbreak.

Florida families now need clear information, aggressive mosquito control and quick action when warning signs appear.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.

 

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