First Dengue Fever Death Recorded in Florida for 2026

Florida has reported its first confirmed dengue fever death of 2026, a fatality that occurred earlier this month in Hillsborough County. The victim, 80-year-old Gay Small, died on September 4th, her birthday, from complications of a dengue infection, including septic shock and multi-organ failure. The infection is believed to have resulted from a mosquito bite near her home.

The Florida Department of Health confirmed the death on Friday after concluding its investigation. Small's daughter told local media that her mother had been in good health and was meticulous about staying healthy, expressing disbelief at the sudden and fatal impact of the virus. She also mentioned that her mother may have contracted dengue years ago while traveling abroad, noting that prior dengue infections can increase the risk of severe symptoms.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause symptoms such as fever, severe aches, nausea, and rash. While most cases are mild and resolve within one to two weeks, some can progress to severe dengue, a life-threatening condition. Warning signs of severe dengue, which require immediate medical attention, include severe stomach pain, persistent vomiting, unusual bleeding or bruising, difficulty breathing, and extreme fatigue or restlessness.

While dengue is most common in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, locally acquired cases have been documented in the continental U.S., including Florida, California, and Texas. In recent weeks, Florida has seen an increase in locally acquired dengue cases, prompting mosquito control agencies to intensify surveillance, inspections, and spraying efforts.

Hillsborough County, where Small resided, has been identified as an epicenter of the current outbreak. Both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have issued mosquito-borne illness alerts. Officials emphasized that mosquitoes do not respect county lines and that increased travel within the Tampa Bay area can contribute to the spread of the virus if infected individuals enter new areas, allowing local mosquitoes to transmit the disease further.

Mosquito Management Services in Hillsborough County have been conducting ground and aerial treatments with insecticides and larvicides, as well as inspecting properties for potential breeding sites. Recent testing of mosquitoes in the area has shown no positive results for dengue, suggesting that control measures may be effective. The Florida Mosquito Control Association is advising residents to eliminate standing water around their homes, as the Aedes mosquito, which transmits dengue, breeds in containers that hold small amounts of water. They also recommend protective measures such as wearing long sleeves and closed-toe shoes outdoors, and using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Dengue deaths have not been common in the Tampa Bay area, with the last recorded death in the region occurring nearly a century ago, according to a public health instructor cited by the Tampa Bay Times.