Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties in Florida declared local states of emergency in September 2026 to combat a wildly unusual outbreak of dengue fever. The mosquito-borne viral disease has infected hundreds across the state this year and caused one confirmed death in Tampa.
The outbreak has centered on the Tampa Bay region, where officials are racing to curb mosquito populations. In Hillsborough County alone, residents have reported 177 cases, a figure Chris Wilkerson, a spokesperson for Hillsborough County, described as “wildly unusual” to ABC News. State-wide, the Florida Department of Health recorded 38 new locally acquired dengue cases between Sept. 13-19, bringing the 2026 total to 190 cases across six counties. This is in addition to 212 travel-associated cases, totaling 392 cases among residents this year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Emergency Measures in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco
Local leaders in three west-central Florida counties have activated emergency orders to bypass standard procedures and accelerate public health responses. Pasco County issued its declaration first, followed by Hillsborough and Pinellas on September 24 and 25, 2026. These orders allow administrators to quickly approve mosquito-control spending and seek federal or state reimbursement for expenses.
In Pasco County, the Board of County Commissioners issued a local state of emergency that lasts for seven days unless rescinded earlier. This gives the county administrator and emergency management director authority to waive everyday procedures to protect public safety. Seth Weightman, vice chair of the Pasco County Commission, stated, It’s truly going to take everybody in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough to manage the threat of dengue throughout the region.
Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an executive order declaring a local state of emergency on Thursday, which will be in effect for at least seven days. This order allows the county administrator and emergency managers to quickly take certain actions to ensure the health and safety of residents. Pasco County is currently aiding the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County and the Pasco County Mosquito Control District.
Michael Cox, Commissioner of the Pasco County Mosquito Control District, compared the current situation to the cone of uncertainty before a hurricane, explaining, We know there is a pending storm coming toward us, but we don’t know exactly where it’s going to hit. We are encouraged to get ready, to prepare ourselves for an impending event coming toward us and that is what we are doing here today.
Understanding “Break-Bone Fever”
The viral illness is nicknamed breakbone fever
because it causes agonizing pain in the joints and bones that makes them feel like they are breaking. According to the CDC, dengue is caused by four related virus types or strains: dengue virus 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Symptoms commonly include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, and aches and pains. These symptoms typically begin within two weeks of a bite from an infected mosquito and usually last two to seven days, with most people recovering after about a week. However, some cases can develop into severe dengue.
Fatalities and Case Trends in Florida
The current outbreak has resulted in the state’s first known dengue death this year. Florida health officials confirmed that Gay Small, an 80-year-old Tampa woman, died on Sept. 4 after contracting dengue from a mosquito bite near her home.
The surge in locally acquired cases is a significant departure from historical norms. While the majority of cases typically come from those who have traveled to at-risk regions—including Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean—the state has seen an unusual surge in local infections since July. The 190 locally acquired cases reported by the Florida Department of Health are the second-highest in state history, following 199 reported in 2023, and are well above the 62 cases reported last year.
Michael Johansson, a research professor of public health and health sciences and a Northeastern University researcher who has studied dengue for two decades, told Northeastern Global News that the number of locally acquired cases is clearly elevated,
particularly in the Tampa Bay area, compared to the past decade. He noted that travel-associated cases remain more in the normal range.
Historically, the last major outbreak of cases acquired outside of the Texas-Mexico border since 1945 occurred in 2009 in Key West, Florida. U.S. cases spiked in 2004, jumping 359% from the annual average over two decades. Regarding previous outbreaks, the CDC stated, “Although these introductions did not lead to larger outbreaks in the continental United States, they indicate an increasing risk for locally acquired cases, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance, vector control, and public health preparedness and response efforts in areas with competent mosquito vectors.”
Environmental Drivers and Mosquito Vectors
The virus is transmitted by two mosquito species found in Florida: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Michael Johansson stated that Aedes aegypti is the more common dengue vector and could be associated with the local chains in the ongoing Florida outbreak. This year, the virus has been detected in 17 mosquito pools.
Prevention Guidance from Health Authorities
To reduce the risk of infection, health officials and the CDC recommend several preventative measures. Officials in Pasco County strongly advise residents to follow Drain and Cover
principles to reduce mosquito breeding areas.
Residents should consult qualified health professionals for medical advice and guidance on managing symptoms or prevention strategies specific to their health needs.
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