Dengue cases rise in Tampa Bay as Hillsborough extends emergency order

Dengue activity remains elevated in the Tampa Bay area, with Hillsborough County reporting 39 new cases for the week of October 18-24, bringing its total to 385 cases since July, WUSF reported. Pinellas County added 16 new cases, increasing its total to 67. Combined, the two counties accounted for 55 new locally acquired dengue cases in the latest weekly report, contributing to a statewide total of 485 cases this year.

Hillsborough County has extended its state of emergency for dengue until November 5. This declaration allows county officials to take swift actions to protect public health and provides a mechanism for reimbursing certain expenses related to the outbreak response. The previous week, Hillsborough and Pinellas reported 36 and 14 new cases, respectively.

Other counties in the Tampa Bay region have also seen cases, with Manatee County reporting its second case of the year. Pasco County remains at four cases, and Polk County at one. Sarasota County has not reported any dengue cases despite a hospitalization of a North Port woman who attended an event in Tampa before showing symptoms.

Statewide, Florida added 60 locally acquired dengue cases in the latest report, including the first two cases this year in Seminole County. The disease has now been reported in 12 counties. Health officials caution that the true number of infections is likely higher, as many people may not show symptoms or may not be diagnosed.

The current dengue outbreak in Florida is the largest in decades, with the statewide total of 485 cases surpassing last year's 62 cases and the previous high of 199 cases in 2023. This summer, an 80-year-old Tampa woman died from dengue infection complicated by septic shock and multiorgan failure, according to a death certificate.