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Pinellas Commission declares State of Local Emergency for dengue fever

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners today declared a State of Local Emergency for the mosquito-borne spread of dengue fever impacting Pinellas County. The declaration gives County Administrator Barry A. Burton authority to quickly approve expenditures related to mosquito control and allows for reimbursement if state funding is made available by the governor.

As of the Florida Department of Health’s (FDOH) latest report issued on Sept. 24, Pinellas County has seven confirmed cases. The Tampa Bay region has 179 confirmed cases across Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Additionally, Pinellas County has observed increased West Nile virus activity in our sentinel chicken coops, which is an early warning for potential human transmission.

Pinellas County Mosquito Control has elevated its response to reduce mosquito populations across the county. To see our completed and planned treatments – both truck and aerial, residents can view our online treatment map.

Our crews are currently going door-to-door near our treatment areas offering to assist residents in finding potential mosquito breeding areas and treat them with the resident’s approval. Our staff members will be in Pinellas County uniform with an ID badge and will only enter with approval. Please allow our highly trained team access to help protect you, your family and your community.

Residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and their communities.

  • Dump out any standing water around their property.
  • Dress in light-colored, long-sleeved clothing with closed-toed shoes when outside.
  • Defend themselves using an insect repellent with a CDC-recommended ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.

For the latest information, residents can visit Pinellas.gov/mosquito. For details about dengue fever, how the virus spreads and more, visit Pinellas.gov/dengue.

If you believe you have a mosquito-borne illness, please immediately contact the FDOH in Pinellas County at (727) 824-6932.