Florida records first dengue death as outbreak spreads

A Tampa woman has become the first person to die from dengue fever in Florida, officials said. The death was confirmed in Hillsborough County, where health officials are tracking the state’s worst recent dengue outbreak. State health agencies have reported three dengue cases in Orange County and later added two more, bringing the total to five in that area. In response, the Florida Department of Health issued a mosquito‑illness warning urging residents to protect themselves from bites. The warning comes as the state sees a sharp rise in dengue infections across multiple counties. Authorities are urging people to eliminate standing water and use repellents to curb the mosquito spread.