Florida Surgeon General Reminds Floridians to Take Precautions Against Dengue Ahead of Labor Day Weekend
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Tampa, Fla. — Today, State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo joined local officials in Hillsborough County to urge Floridians to take precautions against mosquito-borne illnesses as families prepare to spend more time outdoors over Labor Day weekend.
Hillsborough County is currently experiencing an unusual increase in locally acquired dengue infections. To date, 59 locally acquired dengue infections have been reported to the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County.
“As families across Florida prepare to enjoy Labor Day weekend, I encourage everyone to take few simple precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquitos bites,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo. “Use insect repellent, cover up when possible, and remove standing water around your home. Individual prevention helps protect you and your community”
Dengue is a viral illness transmitted to people throughout the bite of an infected Aedeas mosquito. These mosquitoes are present in Florida communities and can breed in very small amounts of standing water around homes and businesses.
The Florida Department of Health encourages Floridians to remember these simple steps:
When spending time outdoors, use an EPA-registered insect repellent and follow the directions on the label.
When possible, wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants while spending time outdoors.
Take a few minutes before the holiday weekend to walk around your home and remove standing water.
Mosquitoes do not need a large amount of water to reproduce. Even a bottle cap of standing water can be enough for mosquitoes to breed.
The Florida Department of Health continues to work closely with local partners to monitor dengue activity in Hillsborough County and support ongoing mosquito control and prevention efforts.