A mosquito bite within Hillsborough County has given one person dengue fever, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County confirmed July 28, prompting a county-wide mosquito-borne illness advisory that covers Apollo Beach and Ruskin.
The case is locally acquired, meaning the infected person contracted the virus from a mosquito here rather than while traveling abroad. DOH-Hillsborough and Hillsborough County Mosquito Management are now coordinating surveillance and conducting targeted mosquito treatment in affected areas, according to the advisory.
No specific neighborhood or zip code has been disclosed.
What dengue looks like
Dengue symptoms typically appear four to 10 days after a bite, according to CDC data. The hallmarks: sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain sometimes called "breakbone fever," nausea, vomiting and rash. Most people recover within one to two weeks.
There is no antiviral treatment. Care is supportive: rest, fluids and acetaminophen for pain and fever. Health officials warn against aspirin and ibuprofen because both can worsen bleeding risk.
Peak season runs through September
Medical Daily reported in 2025, citing CDC ArboNET surveillance data, that Florida recorded 1,044 dengue cases in 2024, more than any other continental U.S. state. Hillsborough County was among the Florida counties with locally acquired infections that year. Nationally, dengue cases peak between July and September, accounting for about 42% of annual infections.
What residents should do
Health officials recommend three steps:
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Drain standing water from flowerpots, buckets, bird baths, gutters and any container that can hold water. Aedes mosquitoes breed in small amounts of still water.
The DOH advisory is available in English, Spanish and Creole at hillsborough.floridahealth.gov.
How to reach county agencies
Residents who want to report mosquito problems or sign up for treatment notifications can call Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services at 813-635-5400. For questions about the dengue advisory, contact DOH-Hillsborough media contact Claire Maher at 813-559-4065 or [email protected].
