Hillsborough Extends Dengue Emergency as Mosquito Response Continues

Hillsborough County has extended its dengue-related state of local emergency through October 8, 2026, keeping emergency authorities in place while mosquito-control teams work to reduce disease risk. County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed the extension on October 1 under the County Emergency Management Ordinance and Chapter 252 of Florida Statutes. A local emergency may remain in effect for only seven days unless it is rescinded or formally extended. The order allows the County Administrator and emergency managers to act quickly to protect public health and safety, and it preserves a path for federal reimbursement of eligible response expenses. The extension is not a declaration that every neighborhood has active dengue transmission. It reflects the County’s need to maintain a coordinated response after surveillance detected dengue virus activity in mosquito populations across multiple neighborhoods.

Residents should expect continued mosquito-management work by air and on the ground as Hillsborough County coordinates with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County on surveillance, education, and treatment. The County is encouraging people to sign up for localized treatment notifications and use its online mosquito resource to review treatment areas and frequently asked questions. Around homes and businesses, removing or covering standing water remains one of the most practical ways to reduce breeding sites, especially in containers, planters, gutters, birdbaths, and other places where rain can collect. Property owners can also reduce exposure by using an appropriate insect repellent and wearing protective clothing when mosquitoes are active. The extension remains current through October 8, so this item is listed as Active rather than Past.