Florida Faces Largest U.S. Dengue Outbreak in Decades; Three Counties Declare Emergencies
Florida is facing one of the worst dengue outbreaks on the U.S. mainland in decades. As of September 26, the state confirmed 252 locally acquired cases — up 62 in a single week and above the recent peak of 199 for all of 2023. Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, accounts for 223 cases, nearly 90% of the state total.
Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties have declared local emergencies and stepped up aerial and ground mosquito control. At least one dengue-related death has been confirmed. "Locally acquired" means patients had no recent travel to dengue-endemic areas — the virus is spreading through mosquitoes in Florida.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：正在吸血的白纹伊蚊——登革热的主要传播媒介（资料图）
