Florida records first dengue death as locally acquired cases climb to 152
The Florida Department of Health confirmed an 80-year-old woman's death from dengue fever, bringing the state's total of locally acquired cases to 152 for the week ending Sept. 12.
Florida health officials confirmed the state’s first dengue-related fatality this year, an 80-year-old woman from Tampa who died on Sept. 4. The department declined to release further personal details, citing privacy concerns.
For the week ending Sept. 12, the Florida Department of Health reported 152 locally acquired dengue cases, the highest weekly total since 2023. Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, accounted for 134 of those cases, while Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco and Pinellas counties reported the remainder.
The CDC notes that dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which also spread Zika and chikungunya viruses. Infection can occur with any of four dengue virus strains, and individuals may be infected multiple times. Approximately 25% of those infected develop mild symptoms such as fever, rash, and joint pain, while about 5% progress to severe dengue, which can cause shock, internal bleeding and death.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue. Health officials advise rest, fluid intake and over-the-counter pain relievers, while warning against aspirin or ibuprofen due to bleeding risks. No dengue vaccine is currently available in the United States; a previously approved vaccine for adolescents with prior infection has been discontinued.
Prevention measures emphasized by the CDC include using mosquito repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors, staying in air-conditioned environments when possible, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed.