Florida Dengue Outbreak Reaches 296 Locally Acquired Cases

Florida is confronting its largest dengue outbreak in decades, with 296 locally acquired cases reported statewide by early October 2026; most were in Hillsborough County, with Pinellas also reporting cases. The Tampa Bay outbreak has been linked to a surge in Aedes mosquitoes after heavy rains, while infections that cause few or no symptoms may go unnoticed and contribute to further spread. One death, that of an 80-year-old Tampa woman, has been reported. Local emergency declarations have enabled continued mosquito-control work, including spraying and treatment of standing water, as officials urge residents to remove breeding sites, use repellent and take other precautions against bites.