Florida has recorded 485 locally acquired dengue fever cases this year, 60 of them added in the past week. Hillsborough County has 385 of the cases, and its local state of emergency has been extended through Thursday, Nov. 5. County crews are increasing mosquito treatments.
Florida's Department of Health recorded 60 more locally acquired dengue cases in the past week, bringing the state total to 485 for the year as of Oct. 24. Florida health officials have confirmed those 485 cases as the state grapples with its largest outbreak in decades. The count is the highest in decades and well above last year's total of 62 cases.
Hillsborough County cases and emergency
According to state surveillance efforts, 385 of the 485 cases are in Hillsborough County. Cases in the county are approaching 400. The county's local state of emergency over dengue fever has been extended through Thursday, Nov. 5.
Hillsborough County said its Mosquito Management crews are increasing treatments by air and ground. The county cited mosquito surveillance in many neighborhoods that shows dengue virus activity in the mosquito population.
About the disease
Dengue is spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and muscle aches, though a person can be infected and show no symptoms.
