Outbreaks
Three Florida counties declare emergencies amid locally acquired dengue outbreak
Florida reported 190 locally acquired dengue cases, including 170 in Hillsborough County, as three counties declared emergencies.
Three Florida counties, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas, declared local states of emergency amid a rise in locally acquired dengue, according to county releases. The Florida Department of Health’s surveillance report counted 190 locally acquired cases across six counties with onset through Sept. 19, Fox News reported. Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, had 170 cases. Miami-Dade and Pinellas had seven each, Orange had three, Pasco had two and Palm Beach had one.
County releases said the declarations allow officials to expedite mosquito-control operations, make emergency purchases and coordinate responses, and in some cases seek state or federal aid or reimbursement. Under Florida law, declarations expire after seven days unless renewed, Fox News reported. Healio reported Florida had also recorded 212 travel-associated dengue cases this year. Dengue is spread by infected mosquitoes and can cause fever, severe aches, nausea and rash, according to the CDC, Fox News reported.
