# What to know about dengue fever as Florida reports more than 500 cases this year

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/what-to-know-about-dengue-fever-as-florida-reports-more-than-500-cases-this-year/
- Published: 2026-11-13T00:31:23+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T01:23:10+00:00
- Original publisher: PBS NewsHour (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/what-to-know-about-dengue-fever-as-florida-reports-more-than-500-cases-this-year
- Topics: Health, Medicine, Politics

## Key points

- Florida has reported 524 locally acquired dengue cases this year.
- Helicopters sprayed Bti to target mosquito larvae.
- Severe symptoms need immediate medical care.

## Summary

Florida has recorded 524 locally acquired dengue cases this year, its highest total in more than 15 years, prompting health officials to step up mosquito control. On 5 November, helicopters sprayed a mixture containing Bti over parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties to kill mosquito larvae and slow the outbreak.

As of 31 October, Florida had also recorded 382 cases linked to international travel. Dengue spreads through infected mosquito bites, not directly between people; about three quarters of infected people do not become ill. Symptoms can include fever, headache, nausea and muscle or joint pain, while severe dengue can cause bleeding and requires urgent medical care. There is no specific cure, and infection with one dengue virus does not protect against the other three.

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