Hillsborough Detects 5 Dengue-Positive Mosquito Pools as Local Cases Reach 15
Updated
Updated · WUSF · Aug 25
Hillsborough Detects 5 Dengue-Positive Mosquito Pools as Local Cases Reach 15
3 articles · Updated · WUSF · Aug 25
Summary
Five mosquito pools collected Aug. 6 and 11 in Hillsborough County tested positive for dengue, and all contained Aedes aegypti, the species that can transmit the virus to people.
Fifteen locally acquired dengue cases have now been recorded in Hillsborough this year after seven were added in the latest reporting week, with recent rain creating more breeding sites across the Tampa Bay area.
Pinellas logged its third local dengue case in the week of Aug. 8-14 after reporting its first two in 15 years a week earlier; Miami-Dade has had four and Palm Beach one.
Statewide, Florida has reported 23 locally acquired dengue infections and 86 travel-related cases this year, while Citrus County has also announced a confirmed local case and stepped up fogging and larviciding.
Health officials said positive mosquito pools are an early warning of virus circulation and urged residents to use repellent, wear long sleeves and drain standing water after storms.