Dengue Fever Claims First Fatality in Florida as Cases Top 130

Florida recorded its first dengue fever death as a Tampa woman died this week, health officials said. The fatal case marks the first dengue fatality ever confirmed in the state. The Florida Department of Health reported 134 dengue cases in Hillsborough County, where the woman lived, and confirmed one death. Mosquitoes that carry the virus have spread widely across the county, fueling what officials describe as one of the worst recent dengue outbreaks in Florida. Local hospitals have been alerting patients to avoid mosquito bites and to seek prompt medical care for fever symptoms. The state is intensifying vector‑control efforts, including fogging and public education, to curb further transmission.