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This is a jar full of mosquitoes that Charlotte County Public Works caught in the region and identified. Dengue fever is spread through the species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, both present in Florida.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY NICOLE DROEGER<\/p>\n
PORT CHARLOTTE \u2014 Dengue fever, the mosquito-borne disease is spreading throughout the Gulf Coast region of Florida bringing with it discomfort, pain and the rare risk of death if untreated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As of Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 11 cases of dengue fever in Lee County while Charlotte, DeSoto and Sarasota counties have no reported cases.<\/p>\n
The proximity to other infected areas is raising some concern.<\/p>\n
Nearby counties sound alarm<\/p>\n
Hillsborough County, about 70 miles north,\u00a0\u00a0declared a state of emergency<\/a> on Sept. 24 due to the spike in cases. Currently, there are 230 reports of the infection. Also raising the threat level are Pasco and Pinellas counties. On the East Coast, Broward County has confirmed an infection bringing the total to eight counties confirming a local case during the 2026 outbreak.\u00a0<\/p>\n How does it spread?\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the Florida Department of Health, dengue fever spreads through mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, both present in Florida.<\/p>\n This outbreak is linked to travelers returning from the Caribbean, Central and South America along with Asia.<\/p>\n Symptoms appear three days to two weeks after exposure and include:<\/p>\n Dengue fever can last up to seven days. While painful, it is rarely fatal. However, if left untreated, it can develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever.<\/p>\n There are 465 cases in Florida and 2,145 nationwide. Only one death has been reported during the 2026 outbreak.<\/p>\n The only way to treat the infection is through management of symptoms and complications.<\/p>\n