Aerial mosquito spraying reached Riverview, Bloomingdale and FishHawk on the night of Monday, Sept. 14, as Hillsborough County escalates a $250,000 fight against a dengue fever outbreak that has infected at least 95 people.

Pasco County Sends Helicopters To Help

The county has signed a formal agreement with Pasco County's Mosquito Control District to bring in additional helicopters and pilots, according to WFLA. The partnership adds two aircraft and two pilots from Pasco, plus two more from Manatee County, to supplement Hillsborough's own fleet.

Expanded Spraying Effort Costs $250,000

The expanded effort costs an estimated $250,000 for spraying products. County leaders said the expense fits within the existing approved operating budget.

Hillsborough Leads State In Dengue Cases

Hillsborough accounts for 95 of the state's 111 locally acquired dengue cases, according to Florida Department of Health data through Sept. 5. That figure jumped 36 cases in a single week, up from 59 the week prior, WFLA reported. No updated count has been released since.

Officials Say Outbreak Crosses County Lines

Adriane Rogers, executive director of the Pasco County Mosquito Control District, said the last comparable dengue outbreak in Florida dates to the 1930s. In a Sept. 11 statement reported by Fox 13, Rogers said the disease cannot be viewed county by county because thousands of people cross county lines daily and mosquito-borne illness travels with them.

Crews Use Daytime And Nighttime Sprays

Crews are using two approaches. Pasco's orange helicopter flies low over rooftops during the day, applying liquid Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a naturally occurring larvicide that targets mosquitoes before they mature. Officials say Bti is safe for people, pets, fish, birds and beneficial insects and breaks down naturally. Hillsborough's helicopter flies at about 150 feet and 90 miles per hour at night, spraying an ultra-low-volume adulticide with a 1,000-foot spray swath.

Spraying Schedule Covers Tampa Neighborhoods

The Osprey Observer reported that the Sept. 14 nighttime Dibrom application covered the Riverview and Bloomingdale area, bounded by Bloomingdale Avenue to the north and the Alafia River to the south, as well as FishHawk. On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Pasco helicopter began a two-day larvicide treatment across central Tampa neighborhoods.

Doctor Expects Cases To Drop Soon

Dr. Kartik Cherabuddi, chief hospital epidemiology officer at Tampa General Hospital and a University of South Florida (USF) infectious diseases professor, said he expects cases to drop significantly within three weeks. Tampa General had treated 60 dengue patients by Sept. 11.

"I really think we've gotten a better handle on the mosquitoes … overall, counts seem to be coming down, and the amount of work by the county and city has been extremely good," Cherabuddi told WFLA on Sept. 11.

Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Behavior Explained

The Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads dengue breeds in standing water and bites during the day, not just at dawn and dusk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates only 1% to 2% of actual mosquito-borne disease cases get reported, because about 80% of infected people show no symptoms.

Health Department Probes Possible Dengue Death

The Florida Department of Health is investigating the death of an 80-year-old Tampa woman as possibly associated with the outbreak, WTSP reported Sept. 9. No outcome of that investigation has been announced.

County Urges Residents To Follow Three D's

Hillsborough County recommends the "three D's": dress in light-colored, long-sleeved clothing; defend with a CDC-recommended repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus; and dump or cover any standing water around your property.

How To Get Mosquito Spray Alerts

Residents can sign up for spray notifications or check treatment areas by calling Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services at 813-635-5400.