Dengue fever outbreak triggers states of emergency in 3 southern counties

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Three Florida counties have declared states of emergency amid the spread of dengue fever in the state.

As of Sept. 23, Pasco County, Hillsborough County and Pinellas County have made the declarations due to a spread of the mosquito-borne disease, according to each county’s news release.

The local emergency declarations allow county officials to expedite mosquito-control operations, make emergency purchases, coordinate response efforts and, where applicable, seek state or federal assistance or reimbursement, the releases state.

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Under Florida law, local emergency declarations expire after seven days unless they are renewed.

A total of 190 locally acquired dengue cases have been confirmed across six Florida counties, according to the latest Florida Department of Health surveillance report, which covered cases with onset through Sept. 19.

Of the 190 locally acquired cases, 170 were reported in Hillsborough County, seven each in Miami-Dade and Pinellas counties, three in Orange County, two in Pasco County and one in Palm Beach County.

The 190 locally acquired infections are separate from travel-associated dengue cases reported in Florida this year.

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Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, severe aches, nausea, rash and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit dengue are active during the day and thrive in warm, humid environments like those found in Florida.”

Dengue is endemic in many tropical and subtropical regions, including Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa. Though less common in the continental U.S., locally acquired cases have been recorded in Florida, California and Texas.

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“The Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit dengue are active during the day and thrive in warm, humid environments like those found in Florida,” an entomologist spokesperson at the SC Johnson Center for Insect Science and Family Health, makers of OFF!, said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

“As dengue cases continue to be reported in the Tampa area, taking steps to help prevent mosquito bites is especially important,” the expert went on. “Staying aware of local mosquito activity and consistently protecting against bites are important steps people can take to help reduce their risk.”

Stopping the spread

The Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA) previously said crews are increasing aerial and ground treatments in areas showing dengue virus activity, while also inspecting private properties for potential mosquito breeding sites, according to reports.

FMCA has urged residents to empty or cover standing water around their homes. The mosquito that spreads dengue is a container breeder, meaning it lays eggs in buckets, planters, plant saucers, tires, discarded toys and other objects that collect small amounts of water, experts say.

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The SC Johnson Center for Insect Science and Family Health entomologist shared the following recommendations to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne disease.

Use an EPA-registered insect repellent: Review, follow and apply repellent label directions to help prevent mosquito bites.
Eliminate sources of standing water nearby: Where there’s standing water, there can be mosquitoes. Mosquitoes need only one tablespoon of water to breed, so areas like rain gutters, birdbaths or buckets with stagnant water are all possible breeding sites.
Layer repellent and sunscreen correctly: When using both sunscreen and mosquito repellent, apply sunscreen first, followed by insect repellent. Be sure to follow the label directions for both products and reapply as directed.
Protect throughout the day: Don’t limit mosquito precautions to dawn and dusk. The Aedes mosquitoes that can spread dengue are active throughout the day, so use protection whenever mosquito exposure is possible.

The FMCA also advises people to dress in long sleeves, light colors and closed-toed shoes outdoors.

Symptoms and treatment

Many people infected with dengue have no symptoms, and most people who do become sick recover within a week or two, according to Mayo Clinic.

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In some cases, however, the illness can progress to severe dengue, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Symptoms typically begin four to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

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Warning signs can develop quickly, often within a day or two after the fever subsides. Those may include severe stomach pain, repeated vomiting, unusual bleeding or bruising, difficulty breathing, extreme tiredness and irritability, or restlessness.

People experiencing warning signs of severe dengue should seek immediate medical care.

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