A case of dengue fever has been confirmed in Hillsborough County, Florida. This infection, caused by a mosquito bite, marks the first locally acquired case since 2019. The Florida Department of Health has verified this case, emphasizing its rarity in the region.
David Fiess, Director of Hillsborough County Mosquito Management, highlighted the unusual nature of this case. “This is our first local transmitted case of dengue since 2019. It’s actually pretty rare,” he stated. The infected individual contracted the virus from a mosquito bite within the county, though the exact location was not disclosed.
Dr. Thomas Unnasch, a distinguished professor at the USF Department of Global Health, explained the severity of the mosquito responsible for dengue transmission. “It is a nasty little mosquito, that’s for sure. Probably the nastiest mosquito we have on the planet. It’s a really aggressive biter of humans. It really likes to feed on human beings,” he remarked.
In response, mosquito management teams are actively working to prevent further spread. “We’ll go out and set traps up, collect the mosquitoes, and then test those kinds that can carry dengue,” Fiess explained. These efforts include spraying insecticides throughout the area.
Dr. Unnasch provided insights into the illness, noting that most people recover within a week to ten days. “If you get it, it can be a pretty nasty little infection. It’s globally known as the breakbone fever because it feels like all your bones are breaking,” he said. Despite its severity, most people eventually recover. However, those who contract dengue more than once may face more serious health issues.
Authorities are advising residents to eliminate standing water around their homes to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Fiess emphasized the importance of this action, saying, “Everyone wants us to come out and spray, but if I have a bucket of water sitting in front of me that has 1,000 mosquito larva in it and I dumped that bucket of water out, I just killed 1,000 mosquitoes.”
To further control the mosquito population, officials are conducting aerial spraying and encouraging residents to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Additionally, they urge the public to take precautions against mosquito bites.
The Florida Department of Health is also monitoring for other mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, malaria, and others, to protect public health.
