Tampa, Florida — Three Tampa Bay-area counties have declared local states of emergency as dengue fever cases continue to rise, with officials stepping up mosquito-control efforts after a confirmed death linked to the mosquito-borne illness.
Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties have each taken emergency action as health officials work to slow the spread of dengue and reduce mosquito populations. Officials are urging residents to eliminate standing water and take precautions against mosquito bites as the region faces an increasing threat.
“It’s truly going to take everybody in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough to manage the threat of dengue throughout the region,” said Seth Weightman, vice chair of the Pasco County Commission.
Pasco County Declares Dengue Emergency
The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners issued a local state of emergency in response to the spread of dengue fever.
The declaration is scheduled to remain in effect for seven days unless officials rescind it sooner. It gives the county administrator and emergency management director additional authority to waive certain normal procedures when necessary to protect public safety.
Michael Cox, a commissioner with the Pasco County Mosquito Control District, compared the situation to preparing for a hurricane before forecasters know exactly where it will make landfall.
“We know there is a pending storm coming toward us, but we don’t know exactly where it’s going to hit. We are encouraged to get ready, to prepare ourselves for an impending event coming toward us and that is what we are doing here today,” Cox said.
Pasco County is working with the Pasco County Mosquito Control District and the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County to respond to the growing concern.
Residents are being encouraged to follow “Drain and Cover” practices, which include removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed and protecting themselves from bites.
Hillsborough County Takes Emergency Action
Hillsborough County has also declared a local state of emergency.
County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an executive order Thursday, with the declaration initially set to remain in place for at least seven days.
The emergency order gives county officials and emergency managers greater flexibility to take quick action related to mosquito control and public health.
Officials are also providing residents with information about localized mosquito-control treatments.
Residents can sign up for notifications about aerial mosquito treatments and access an online resource showing where treatment operations are taking place.
Hillsborough County residents can also contact Mosquito Management Services for additional information.
Pinellas County Reports Dengue and West Nile Concerns
The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners has issued its own local state of emergency as dengue continues to spread.
The declaration gives County Administrator Barry A. Burton authority to quickly approve expenditures related to mosquito control and could allow the county to receive reimbursement if state funding becomes available through the governor.
Pinellas County officials are also monitoring another mosquito-borne concern.
The county has reported increased West Nile virus activity in sentinel chicken coops, which are used as an early warning system for possible mosquito-borne disease transmission.
Residents are being urged to dump out standing water around their properties, wear light-colored clothing that covers their arms and legs, and use insect repellent containing a CDC-recommended ingredient such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Dengue Cases Continue to Climb
The number of reported infections has increased significantly in parts of the Tampa Bay region.
Florida health data shows Hillsborough County has recorded more than 170 dengue cases, including 36 new cases reported between Sept. 13 and Sept. 19.
Pinellas County has reported seven total cases, while Pasco County has confirmed two cases and is investigating additional suspected infections.
Polk County has also reported its first locally acquired human case of dengue fever, prompting the Florida Department of Health in Polk County to issue a Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory.
The impact is also being seen inside Tampa hospitals. Doctors at Tampa General Hospital estimate they have treated more than 100 dengue patients.
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Doctors Warn About Severe Dengue Symptoms
Dengue can cause intense pain and is sometimes referred to as “break-bone fever” because of the severity of the muscle, joint and bone pain it can produce.
“The body aches are so intense that it’s got this nickname as ‘break-bone fever,'” said Dr. Kartik Cherabuddi, chief hospital epidemiology officer at Tampa General Hospital. “It’s real, and I’ve seen patients — they hurt so bad, it’s the predominant thing that’s bringing them into the emergency room”.
Health experts say roughly one in four people infected with dengue develop symptoms, while about one in 20 symptomatic patients can develop severe disease.
Common symptoms include severe muscle, joint and bone pain, nausea and pain behind the eyes. Cherabuddi warned that some of the most dangerous symptoms can appear after the fever begins to improve.
“It’s the time the fever breaks. The next two days is when you can have more severe warning signs,” Cherabuddi said. “If you have severe abdominal pain, persistently throwing up, bleeding from the gums or other sites, difficulty breathing — and critically, that’s when the fever starts to go down is when these could develop. That’s when you absolutely have to go to the ER”.
Symptoms can begin about two weeks after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, although the timing can vary. Health officials say many infected people experience no symptoms at all, meaning they may not realize they have the virus.
Have you noticed increased mosquito activity or mosquito-control efforts in your area? Share your experience in the comments and let us know how your community is responding to the dengue concerns.
