Florida Reports First Dengue Fever Death of the Year as Cases Rise
The state has confirmed 152 locally acquired cases, the highest number since 2023, according to health data.
The Florida Department of Health has confirmed the state's first death from dengue fever this year amid a rise in cases of the mosquito-borne illness. The department did not release details about the deceased.
The Tampa Bay Times reported the patient was an 80-year-old Tampa woman who died on September 4. The Florida Department of Health did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
For the week ending September 12, Florida recorded 152 locally acquired dengue cases, according to state health department data. This figure marks the highest number of cases since 2023, when the state reported 189 locally acquired cases throughout the entire year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, has reported the highest number of cases this year with 134, the Florida Department of Health stated. Other counties with confirmed cases include Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, and Pinellas.
Dengue viruses are transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes species mosquitoes, primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions, the CDC notes. These mosquitoes are also vectors for Zika and chikungunya viruses.
About one in four people infected with dengue develop symptoms, which typically last two to seven days and are usually mild. Symptoms can include fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, and bone pain. Approximately one in 20 infected individuals develop severe dengue, which can lead to shock, internal bleeding, and potentially death.
There are no specific treatments for dengue. The CDC advises rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications for symptom relief. Severe cases often require hospitalization and supportive care, such as intravenous fluids. Patients are cautioned against taking aspirin or ibuprofen, as these can increase the risk of stomach inflammation or bleeding.
Currently, no dengue vaccine is available in the U.S. In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine for specific populations, but it has since been discontinued.
Preventive measures against dengue infection include using effective mosquito repellents, wearing protective clothing when outdoors, and staying in air-conditioned environments. The CDC also recommends eliminating stagnant water sources to prevent mosquito breeding.