In a single state reporting week, Florida added 72 locally acquired dengue cases. Brevard County now has a confirmed local case of its own. It's Monday, October 19th, and you're listening to Dengue Fever Watch. Our last episode was October 9th, so we'll cover the newest state numbers, a plan to spray parts of Orange County from the air, and Brevard's first local case.
Sarah Perkel, Cheryl McCloud and C. A. Bridges, for the USA TODAY Network:
The report for the period from Oct. 4 through Oct. 10 says that "368 cases of locally acquired dengue and 20 mosquito pools have been reported from eight counties" in 2026. From Oct. 4 through Oct. 10 alone, 72 cases of locally acquired dengue were reported in Florida.
On October 9th we had 296 statewide, through October 3rd. Is 368 the same kind of number, one week on? Yes. Both come from the state's weekly arbovirus report, and both count confirmed, locally acquired cases for 2026. Hillsborough rose from 259 to 310 and is still where most cases are. Pinellas went from 20 to 37, according to WUSF figures cited by the site Brightgram. Pasco is at four. Same warning as before, though. 72 is how many cases the state reported that week. It isn't a count of people infected that week. Right. Confirmations come in late, and Hillsborough's health office has said the true number of infections is higher than the confirmed count. Pinellas's emergency was due to end October 15th. What happened? Brightgram, citing a WUSF report from October 15th, says Hillsborough and Pinellas both extended their local emergencies through October 22nd. Also on the 15th, Hillsborough County listed who is helping it. Lee County helicopters are dropping larvicide on breeding sites, and Manatee County helicopters are spraying adult mosquitoes. The state agriculture department and the CDC are helping with mosquito surveillance.
Orange County Government, in a release dated October 16th:
As of October 12, the Florida Department of Health confirmed four locally transmitted cases of dengue fever in the Apopka area and one in Pine Hills. Orange County Mosquito Control will conduct aerial mosquito spraying in these areas to mitigate the mosquito population and prevent the spread of dengue.
Which streets, and when? Flights were scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, October 16th, weather permitting. If storms got in the way, some or all of it would move to Saturday at 7. In Apopka, the zone covers parts of central and south Apopka, including Clarcona and Paradise Heights. Apopka High School is outside it. In Pine Hills, it covers the area around West Colonial Drive and North Pine Hills Road, plus Bel-Aire Woods and Orlo Vista. If I live there, do I need to bring the dog in or cover my vegetable beds? The county says pets, livestock and gardens need no extra protection. It says the products are approved by the EPA and the state agriculture department. Steve Harrison, Orange County's mosquito control manager, said in a press release quoted by the USA TODAY Network that the county planned to spray over two to three weeks. So this may not be the only round.
FOX 35 Orlando, reporting Friday:
The FDOH in Brevard County is now informing residents of a confirmed human case of locally-acquired dengue. The health department and Brevard County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by enhanced monitoring for mosquitoes and diseases as well as targeted mosquito treatment and overnight spraying to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Where in Brevard? FOX 35 says health officials haven't said where. Brevard is not one of the eight counties in the state's count through October 10th, so this case isn't part of the 368. On that date Brevard was under a mosquito-borne illness advisory. That is a step below the alerts in place for Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Orange. And Brevard has been sending help to Tampa. Hillsborough says Brevard crews are inspecting for mosquitoes and treating with larvicide on the ground there, and a Brevard biologist is helping with surveillance. One case is worth watching, not a reason for alarm. Health officials quoted by FOX 35 ask residents to put repellent on exposed skin or clothing, get rid of standing water, and keep doors and windows closed.
Has your county put out a dengue update that didn't make our rundown? Or is there a term you'd like us to slow down and explain? Email denguewatch at lantern podcasts dot com.
We're watching two things: whether Hillsborough and Pinellas extend their emergencies past October 22nd, and when Brevard's case shows up in a state report. Links to today's sources are in the episode notes. Dengue Fever Watch comes to you from Lantern Podcasts. Talk to you next time.