Outbreaks
Florida dengue outbreak appears to be largest in continental U.S. in decades
Florida has reported more than 250 locally acquired dengue cases this year, with most in Hillsborough County, according to state health officials.
Florida's dengue outbreak appears to be the largest in the continental United States in several decades. State health officials reported more than 250 locally acquired cases this year, according to MedPage Today and Medical Xpress. The outlets said available state and medical-journal information points to the most cases in a calendar year for any state since at least the 1940s.
Most locally acquired cases were in Hillsborough County, home to Tampa. MedPage Today reported 252 locally acquired cases and 245 travel-associated cases as of last week. Time reported around 485 cases statewide, citing CDC data. One dengue death, an elderly Tampa woman on Sept. 4, was reported by MedPage Today and Medical Xpress.
Officials in Hillsborough and surrounding counties declared local emergencies. Workers in the Tampa area are spraying to kill mosquitoes and checking properties for pooled water. MedPage Today reported that the CDC provided $800,000 in assistance to the state health department, while Florida officials had not asked CDC investigators to come in.
Reporting on this story
- The Hill Florida's dengue outbreak reportedly largest US has seen in decades (opens in a new tab)
- MedPage Today Florida's Dengue Outbreak Is Now the Largest in the Continental U.S. in Decades (opens in a new tab)
- Time What to Know About the Dengue Outbreak in the U.S. (opens in a new tab)
- Medical Xpress Florida's dengue outbreak is now the largest in the continental US in decades (opens in a new tab)
