Tampa Bay Counties Declare Emergency as Dengue Outbreak Claims Its First Life in a Century
Finn's Take· TL;DR- Three counties declared emergencies as dengue cases surge, with 179 confirmed cases and one fatality marking the region's first dengue death in nearly a century.
- Helicopter and ground treatments using Bti bacterium target mosquito larvae in high-risk neighborhoods while officials conduct neighborhood walkthroughs to eliminate breeding sites.
- Residents should drain standing water, use EPA-registered repellent, cover skin, and seek immediate medical attention if experiencing fever, severe aches, or other dengue symptoms.
A Region on High Alert
Three Florida counties have declared states of emergency as a growing outbreak of dengue has spread across the region. Hillsborough and Pinellas counties declared states of emergency on Thursday, September 25, one day after neighboring Pasco County did the same, as officials ramped up efforts to control mosquito populations and curb the spread of the mosquito-borne disease. The coordinated response underscores just how seriously public health leaders are taking what one county spokesperson called a situation that is "wildly unusual for us."
Tampa Bay has reported 169 cases, including 160 in Hillsborough, seven in Pinellas, and two in Pasco counties as of September 19. As of the most recent Florida Department of Health report, the Tampa Bay region has 179 confirmed cases across all three counties. Hillsborough alone added 36 cases of locally acquired dengue for the week of September 13–19. That figure is likely an undercount, because the state tally is nearly a week old and other cases may not yet be confirmed.
A Death That Shocked the Region
Gay Small of Hillsborough County died on September 4 — her 80th birthday — from complications of a dengue infection, including septic shock and multi-organ failure, after she was bitten by a mosquito near her home on Bayshore Boulevard. She was the first known person to die as a result of dengue fever in the state this year, and the first fatality from the disease in almost a century in the Tampa Bay region.
Hillsborough had experienced only sporadic cases until this year — just two between 2015 and 2025, according to health department records and mosquito control officials. The state has reported 152 locally acquired cases so far this year, putting 2026 second only to 2023, when nearly 200 locally acquired cases were recorded. Pinellas County has also observed increased West Nile virus activity in its sentinel chicken coops, which serves as an early warning for potential human transmission.
What the Emergency Declarations Actually Do
The local emergency orders remain in effect for seven days, unless rescinded or extended. They allow county administrators or emergency managers to quickly take actions to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community, and provide access to federal resources. Hillsborough County officials said the order also provides a path for potential federal reimbursement of certain expenses.
Hillsborough Mosquito Management is conducting low-flying helicopter treatments alongside ground fogging in high-risk neighborhoods such as South Tampa, East Tampa, Seminole Heights, Bloomingdale, and Riverview. Helicopters are applying Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a naturally occurring bacterium that targets mosquito larvae before they become biting adults. The product is EPA-registered for mosquito control and officials say it does not harm people, pets, fish, birds, or beneficial insects. Code enforcement officers and mosquito control personnel in Pinellas and Pasco are also conducting neighborhood walkthroughs to identify and treat outdoor breeding sites.
What Residents Can Do — and What Comes Next
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, severe aches, nausea, rash, and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately one in twenty symptomatic patients progresses to severe dengue, a life-threatening medical emergency. Clinical warning signs typically emerge during the critical transition phase, 24 to 48 hours after the initial fever subsides. Officials urge anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention promptly.
Residents can take meaningful action of their own. Mosquito control officials are advising people to drain standing water around their home or business, cover exposed skin and use an EPA-registered mosquito repellent, keep doors and windows screened and in good repair, and be mindful of mosquito bites during both the day and night. Looking ahead, experts warn this may not be a one-time crisis. University of Florida associate professor Michael von Fricken told the Associated Press that dengue could become increasingly common in Florida as virus-carrying mosquitoes remain widespread, adding, "I do think it's going to be somewhat the new normal."