Hillsborough County’s dengue fever emergency continues through Nov. 12 after County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an extension Thursday, Nov. 5.

The county’s announcement says the emergency order helps officials act quickly to protect residents and seek reimbursement for certain expenses. A local emergency lasts seven days unless extended or rescinded.

County mosquito surveillance is detecting dengue virus activity in many neighborhoods. Crews are increasing air and ground treatments while working with the Florida Department of Health on education and mosquito control.

Apollo Beach is in nighttime treatment area

Apollo Beach is among the communities listed for nighttime airplane spraying in the county’s Nov. 3 treatment announcement. Flights targeting adult mosquitoes were scheduled from sunset to midnight Wednesday through Friday.

The daytime helicopter treatments scheduled for Nov. 4–6 target mosquito larvae in standing water in Central Tampa and Palm River. Apollo Beach is not listed among those daytime zones.

Residents can check treatment information and sign up for neighborhood aerial-spray alerts through the county’s mosquito operations page. For mosquito-control questions, call 813-635-5400.

Reduce breeding sites and watch symptoms

The county urges residents to empty standing water around homes and businesses, especially after rain. Small containers, including flowerpot saucers, can provide breeding sites.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists fever with headache, eye pain, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting or rash among dengue symptoms. Contact a health care provider if symptoms develop.

Severe dengue is a medical emergency. Seek immediate care for warning signs such as abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, or extreme tiredness or restlessness, particularly as a fever goes away.