Confirmed locally acquired dengue fever cases in the Tampa Bay area has risen to 10, as the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County reported the eighth case today.
In addition, the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County reported two dengue local transmission in the Palm Harbor area earlier, bringing the total in the area to 10.
Health officials and mosquito control in the two counties are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by using all available resources to minimize mosquito activity.
’Tis the Season for Ticks and Mosquitoes
Locally acquired cases have also been reported in South Florida- Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.
Dengue is a disease caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. The disease can take up to 2 weeks to develop with illness generally lasting less than a week.
Symptoms from dengue include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle and joint pain, and minor bleeding.
Dengue can become severe within a few hours. Severe dengue is a medical emergency, usually requiring hospitalization.
In severe cases, health effects can include hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), shock (seriously low blood pressure), organ failure, and death.