Florida Dengue Cases Reach 524, Largest U.S. Outbreak in Decades
TAMPA, Fla. — Florida has reported 524 locally acquired dengue cases so far this year, with 39 more added in a single week, according to the latest Florida Department of Health data released November 6 — the largest dengue outbreak in the United States in decades. Florida's previous recent high was 199 cases in 2023.
Cases remain concentrated in Hillsborough County on the state's west coast, which has confirmed 407 cases, followed by Pinellas County with 80, Miami-Dade with 12 and Orange County with 10. Twelve counties have now reported locally acquired cases, and 20 counties are under mosquito-borne illness advisories or alerts.
One death has been confirmed in Hillsborough County: 80-year-old Gay Small, whose death certificate listed dengue infection along with septic shock and multi-organ failure. The county administrator's local state of emergency is set to expire on November 12 unless the county extends it.
Florida has also reported eight locally acquired West Nile virus cases and one chikungunya case. Health officials urge residents to drain standing water, use repellent, and seek care if fever, headache or joint pain develops.
Source: Florida Department of Health
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 传播登革热的埃及伊蚊（美国疾病控制与预防中心图，公共领域）
