Dengue outbreak in Hillsborough County: Health officials warn spread could take time to slow

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Health and mosquito control officials are warning residents that Hillsborough County’s dengue outbreak could take time to wind down as crews continue working to find and treat mosquito breeding sites.

Carla Fry, administrator and health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, said one challenge is that some people infected with dengue may never develop symptoms.

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“Once you start to have a dengue outbreak, because so many people are running around asymptomatic, they can be spreading it by getting bit by a mosquito who then bites another person,” Fry said.

Mosquito control crews are working during the day and at night, with assistance from mosquito control teams in Pasco and Manatee counties. Officials said crews are conducting biological sampling, responding to cases and looking for areas where mosquitoes are actively breeding.

Mosquitoes breeding close to homes

Officials say it does not take much standing water for mosquitoes to breed…

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