UPDATE!! Locally Acquired Cases of Dengue Continue to Rise Across Tampa Bay

Media Release | September 4, 2026
Maria Johnson
MJohnson@PascoMosquito.org
727-376-4568 x226

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pasco County, Fla. — September 4, 2026 — The Pasco County Mosquito Control District (PCMCD) is urging residents to remain vigilant as locally acquired dengue virus activity continues to increase across the Greater Tampa Bay region.

The latest state surveillance report identifies 59 confirmed locally acquired dengue cases in Hillsborough County, five in Pinellas County, one in Citrus County, and two cases involving Pasco County residents with ties to affected areas in neighboring communities. Numerous additional suspected cases remain under epidemiological investigation.

The increase represents a significant escalation since PCMCD’s August 27 regional advisory, when state data reported 30 cases in Hillsborough, three in Pinellas and one in Citrus.

“This is not an issue that can be viewed county by county,” said Adriane Rogers, Executive Director of PCMCD. “Thousands of people move throughout the Tampa Bay region every day between counties, and mosquito-borne disease moves with people. What happens in a neighboring community can directly affect the health of Pasco County residents.”

PCMCD Providing Specialized Aerial Assistance

As the outbreak has grown, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County requested PCMCD’s assistance based on the District’s experience responding to dengue and other Aedes aegypti-borne diseases and its specialized mosquito-control capabilities.

This week, PCMCD deployed its Airbus H125 helicopter, specialized Wide Area Larvicide Spray (WALS) equipment, personnel and technical expertise to Hillsborough County. Aerial WALS applications use liquid mosquito larvicide to target immature Aedes aegypti developing in water-holding containers throughout residential and urban environments.

Additional applications are planned as part of a coordinated response that includes surveillance, source reduction, larval and adult mosquito control, public education, and other measures intended to reduce Aedes aegypti populations and help interrupt the dengue transmission cycle.

“PCMCD has specialized equipment, products with known effectiveness to reduce the vector mosquito population, and personnel with extensive experience controlling this particular mosquito,” Rogers said. “When we were asked us to bring that capability to the regional response, we were prepared to act.”

Regional Response Directly Protects Pasco

PCMCD recognizes that residents may ask why District resources are being deployed outside Pasco County.
The reason is directly connected to protecting Pasco residents. Thousands of people travel between Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and surrounding counties every day. A Pasco resident can be exposed to dengue in an area experiencing active transmission and return home while carrying the virus. Local Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can then potentially acquire the virus from an infected
person and continue the transmission cycle.

“Helping interrupt transmission where it is actively occurring reduces the opportunity for dengue to spread into Pasco and other neighboring communities,” Rogers said. “Our involvement in this regional response is an extension of our responsibility to protect the people of Pasco County.”

PCMCD continues to maintain the personnel, aircraft, equipment, and operational capability necessary to protect Pasco County while assisting with the regional response.

Pasco Began Preparing Early

PCMCD began increasing public education and proactive mosquito-control activities approximately three weeks ago when the initial Hillsborough dengue cluster was reported. The District expanded outreach through press releases, social media and Pasco One Health Alliance partners while increasing preventive treatments in Pasco areas known to support Aedes aegypti, including
locations associated with Pasco’s 2024 dengue cluster response.

PCMCD’s August 27 advisory also urged residents to eliminate standing water, use U.S. EPA-registered mosquito repellents, maintain window and door screens, and protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Residents Need to Take Action

Aedes aegypti, the primary mosquito responsible for dengue transmission, lives closely around people and
lays eggs in small water-holding containers commonly found around homes and businesses.
PCMCD asks residents to:

• Dump, drain, and scrub water-holding containers at least weekly.
• Cover or discard items that collect rainwater.
• Use a U.S. EPA-registered mosquito repellent according to label directions.
• Wear long sleeves, pants, shoes, and socks when outdoors.
• Maintain window and door screens.
• Protect against mosquito bites during both daytime and nighttime hours.
  Residents may also notice increased ground and aerial mosquito-control operations during daytime
  and nighttime hours as PCMCD responds to the elevated disease risk.
  “Mosquito control agencies can treat mosquitoes, but we cannot eliminate every container in every
  backyard,” Rogers said. “Stopping dengue requires all of us. Our residents are an essential part of this
  response.”
  For updates, treatment information and mosquito-prevention resources, visit PascoMosquito.org and
  follow @PascoMosquito on social media.
  About Pasco County Mosquito Control District
  The Pasco County Mosquito Control District is dedicated to safeguarding the public’s health through
  effective mosquito control and prevention programs. Our mission is to protect the health and well-being of
  the citizens of Pasco County through the prevention and control of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne
  diseases. Our goal is to control both pestiferous and disease carrying mosquito populations to a tolerable
  level in the safest, most economical manner, while using a variety of methods in such a way as to minimize
  potential effects on people, wildlife, and the environment.
  For more information on mosquito control activity and to sign up for treatment notifications, please visit the
  PCMCD’s website at www.pascomosquito.org. You can also reach out directly to the District at 727-376-
  4568 and follow PascoMosquito on social media.
  Contact Us
  Maria Johnson
  Community Engagement Director
  Pasco County Mosquito Control District
  Phone: 727-376-4568 x226
  Email: MJohnson@PascoMosquito.org
  Website: https://www.PascoMosquito.org/
  

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Media Release | August 25, 2026
Sofia Reyes
Sofia.Reyes@flhealth.gov
727-619-0163

• DRAIN standing water around homes and businesses at least once a week, including
  flowerpots, buckets, birdbaths, pet water bowls, gutters, tarps, pool covers, and any
  containers that collect rainwater.
• COVER exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and pants when practical, and apply a
  US EPA-registered insect repellent according to the product label. Ensure window and
  door screens are in good repair to help keep mosquitoes outside.
  The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses,
  including West Nile virus infections, 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’s site.
  For more information, visit the Department’s mosquito prevention webpage or contact your
  county health department.

About the Florida Department of Health
The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to
protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state,
county, and community efforts.
Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida
Department of Health, please visit FloridaHealth.gov

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