Local health officials have confirmed a human case of locally acquired dengue fever in Hillsborough County, Florida. The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County announced the case following laboratory confirmation.
Prevention Measures
In response, county health authorities and Hillsborough County Mosquito Management are coordinating surveillance and target prevention measures, including mosquito treatment efforts across affected local areas.
Health officials are urging community members to take basic everyday precautions to prevent mosquito bites. Standard guidance includes using EPA-registered insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, and draining any standing water around properties where mosquitoes can breed.
The health department continues statewide tracking for mosquito-borne illnesses, monitoring for infections such as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue.
As part of statewide surveillance efforts, Florida residents are encouraged to report sightings of dead birds on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website, which helps authorities track disease patterns. Additional guidance is available through the Department of Health’s mosquito prevention webpage or by contacting county health offices.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
