Florida records first dengue-related death in a century as cases surge
An 80-year-old woman in Hillsborough County died from dengue fever, the first such fatality in Florida in nearly 100 years, amid a sharp increase in locally acquired cases this year.
Florida health officials confirmed that an 80-year-old Hillsborough County resident died from dengue fever, marking the first dengue-related death in the state since the early 20th century. The woman, identified by her family as Gay Small, fell ill in late August, was diagnosed with dengue on August 30 and succumbed to complications including jaundice, organ failure and septic shock on September 4, her birthday.
"Small’s death is the first documented in the state in roughly a century," said Kristi Miley, a medical entomologist at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health.
The Florida Department of Health reported 332 dengue cases in the state so far in 2026, the highest number among U.S. states, with at least 152 acquired locally. Health authorities attribute the rise to increased mosquito activity and have urged residents to use EPA-registered repellents, wear protective clothing and eliminate standing water.
Dengue infection can be asymptomatic or cause flu-like symptoms in about 25% of cases; roughly 5% develop severe complications such as internal bleeding or shock. Immunity to one serotype does not protect against others, and repeat infections can increase the risk of severe disease. The World Health Organization notes that climate change is expanding the geographic range of the virus, putting about half of the global population at risk.