What to know about dengue fever as Florida reports 1st death and cases rise
Florida has confirmed its first death from dengue fever this year, with cases rising significantly across the state. Hillsborough County has reported the highest number of locally acquired infections, prompting health officials to monitor the spread of the mosquito-borne virus.
Why it matters
The rise in locally acquired dengue cases in the U.S. highlights the growing public health challenge posed by climate-related shifts in mosquito habitats.
The Florida Department of Health confirmed the state's first death from dengue fever this year as cases of the mosquito-borne illness continue to rise.
The department did not provide any details about the patient including name, age, sex or residence.
The Tampa Bay Times , which first reported the death, described the patient as an 80-year-old Tampa woman who died on Sept. 4.
"The Department has completed its epidemiological investigation and acknowledges the first dengue fever-related death in Hillsborough County. To protect the privacy of the individual, additional details and information regarding the case are confidential," a spokesperson for the FDOH told ABC News in a state,emt/
The FDOH did not immediately return ABC News' request for comment.
For the week ending Sept. 12, Florida has confirmed 152 locally acquired cases of dengue, according to data from the state health department.
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