Health Alert

DOH-Hillsborough County Issues Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert Update

August 12, 2026 2 min read

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The update is being issued due to an eighth confirmed human case of locally-acquired dengue fever.
Illustration of a mosquito in an orange target
For media inquiries: Claire Maher • Claire.Maher@flhealth.gov • 813-559-4065

Hillsborough County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) is informing residents of an eighth confirmed human case of locally-acquired dengue fever. The county will continue to be under a mosquito-borne illness alert. DOH-Hillsborough and Hillsborough County Mosquito Management are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by using all available resources to minimize mosquito activity.

Dengue can present as a flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and joint pain, fever, and sometimes a rash. Usually, there are no respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of dengue will appear within 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue fever is not contagious but is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

DOH-Hillsborough reminds the community to avoid mosquito bites by taking basic precautions. More information is available in English, Spanish, and Creole. 

  • Wear protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants. 
  • Apply insect repellents that are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  to exposed skin and clothing. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. 
  • Control mosquitoes inside and outside. Repair damaged screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Drain water from discarded tires, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected. A single tire filled with water can create the opportunity for hundreds of mosquitoes to breed and multiply.

The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 

If you are experiencing any symptoms, please call DOH-Hillsborough at 813-307-8010.