Hillsborough County's locally acquired dengue fever count has jumped from two to eight confirmed cases in less than two weeks, and mosquito control crews are now spraying, setting traps and knocking on doors in affected neighborhoods.

The fourfold increase, reported by WFLA from CDC data published Wednesday, Aug. 12, puts Hillsborough among the hardest-hit counties in a state that has logged 54 dengue cases so far in 2026. Two additional cases were confirmed in neighboring Pinellas County.

For Apollo Beach and Ruskin residents who live along canals and waterfront lots, the risk is close to home. The Aedes mosquito that carries dengue is a daytime biter and a container breeder that lays eggs in the small pools of standing water common around South Shore properties.

"The mosquito that spreads dengue is what we call a container breeder. That means it likes to breed in things around our house, like buckets, even gutters, the bottom of planters, things like that," Gabriela Henderson of Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services told WFLA on Wednesday.

Henderson said inspectors are conducting door-to-door home inspections in areas where cases have been identified, checking for breeding sites and informing residents about prevention.

The county's response marks a significant escalation from the mosquito-borne illness alert DOH-Hillsborough issued July 31 after confirming the second local case. Crews are now actively canvassing infection-linked neighborhoods, spraying and deploying traps.

What residents should do now

Health officials recommend the "Three D's":

• Dump standing water from gutters, plant pot saucers, buckets, birdbaths and any container that holds even a small amount of water.
• Dress in long sleeves and pants, especially during daytime hours when Aedes mosquitoes are active.
• Defend with EPA-registered mosquito repellent.

Epidemiologist Kartik Cherabuddi told WFLA that most infections begin with a high fever and that the vast majority of people recover completely. Severe cases can bring abdominal pain, vomiting and bleeding from the gums or nose. Symptoms usually appear about 15 days after infection.

For context, Florida recorded 62 locally acquired dengue cases in all of 2025, according to state Department of Health arbovirus surveillance data. Eight cases in a single county in the first weeks of August already represents a notable local concentration.

How to report or get help

Residents who spot standing water on neighboring properties or want a free on-site inspection can call Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services at 813-635-5400. Anyone experiencing dengue symptoms can reach DOH-Hillsborough at 813-307-8010.