MONROE COUNTY, Fla. — At least two cases of locally acquired dengue fever have been confirmed in the Florida Keys, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Health officials in Monroe County say they're working along with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District to coordinate surveillance and prevention efforts. This includes door-to-door mosquito inspections, enhanced mosquito surveillance, aerial larvicide, truck-mounted larvicide and adulticide mosquito treatments.
The announcement comes just over a week after officials in Hillsborough County confirmed one case of dengue fever.
Following the discovery, DOH-Hillsborough and Hillsborough County Mosquito Control say they are conducting aerial spraying to help prevent the spread of the viral infection.
A chart on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website shows that in 2024, the following Tampa Bay-area counties have reported cases of dengue fever:
- Hillsborough County: 14 cases
- Pinellas County: 1-4 cases
- Pasco County: 1-4 cases
- Hernando County: 1-4 cases
- Polk County: 1-4 cases
The county with the highest number of cases on the CDC's chart is Miami-Dade, with 91 cases reported.
Dengue fever is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people, according to the World Health Organization.
Officials say the disease can cause a flu-like illness with muscle aches, joint pain, fever and a rash. Symptoms appear within 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
While there is no specific treatment for dengue, WHO says symptoms are usually treated with pain medicine.
To prevent infection with dengue, the Florida DOH says to always protect yourself with repellent on exposed skin or clothing.
The department also notes that mosquitoes can breed by laying eggs in standing water. Leaders recommend emptying or covering anything that holds water such as buckets, trash bins, roof gutters, coolers and more.