Florida Issues Mosquito Alerts in 6 Counties as 7 Local Dengue Cases Emerge
Updated
Updated · WUFT · Aug 20
Florida Issues Mosquito Alerts in 6 Counties as 7 Local Dengue Cases Emerge
3 articles · Updated · WUFT · Aug 20
Summary
Six Florida counties — Alachua, Leon, Palm Beach, Pasco, Hillsborough and Miami-Dade — are under mosquito-borne health alerts after surveillance showed increased virus activity.
Seven locally acquired dengue cases have been reported statewide in 2026, with five in Hillsborough County and one each in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach; West Nile virus is also among the main concerns.
Sporadic rainfall created breeding sites even as much of Florida remains unusually dry, and officials say drought can still intensify transmission by concentrating birds and mosquitoes around limited water sources.
Sentinel chicken monitoring is helping detect virus circulation early, while health officials urge residents to use repellent, wear long sleeves, close windows and remove standing water after storms.
State monitors are also tracking Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, chikungunya, Oropouche and Zika, though the latest report found only minimal activity.