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Florida confirms 80-year-old Tampa woman dies of dengue

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 10:51 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Florida health reports surge

U.S. health officials confirmed the death of an 80-year-old Tampa woman from dengue.
Florida health department recorded 152 locally acquired dengue cases, the second-highest total.
Hillsborough County reported 134 cases, about 90 % of the state’s infections.
Mosquito-control crews intensified aerial and ground spraying and inspected homes for standing water.
University of Florida professor Michael von Fricken warned dengue could become the new normal.

Summary

Florida Officials Warn

Florida health officials report DENV-2 dominates locally acquired dengue cases.
State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo urged residents to use DEET, picaridin, IR3535, lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone repellents.
Health officials found 16 DENV-2-positive mosquito pools in Hillsborough County.
Eleven counties now have mosquito-borne illness advisories after detecting West Nile, chikungunya and dengue activity.

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Florida health reports surge

U.S. health officials confirmed the death of an 80-year-old Tampa woman from dengue.
Florida health department recorded 152 locally acquired dengue cases, the second-highest total.
Hillsborough County reported 134 cases, about 90 % of the state’s infections.
Mosquito-control crews intensified aerial and ground spraying and inspected homes for standing water.
University of Florida professor Michael von Fricken warned dengue could become the new normal.

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