Manatee County now has its first confirmed locally acquired case of dengue, according to the Florida Department of Health. “Locally acquired” means the person was infected by a mosquito here in the county, not while traveling. The Department of Health is working with Manatee County Mosquito Control on surveillance and prevention, including removing mosquito breeding sites and aerial spraying.
The advisory was short on specifics. It didn’t identify where the person was exposed, didn’t say how many cases there are, and didn’t provide the patient’s condition or the exact areas and dates for spraying. Earlier this month, officials reported no confirmed locally acquired dengue cases in the county, so this marks a change in the situation.
For residents, the guidance is straightforward. Dengue spreads through mosquito bites, so prevention means reducing bites and breeding grounds. Empty anything around your home that holds standing water, use an EPA-registered repellent when outdoors, and if you develop a fever along with muscle or joint aches, contact your healthcare provider and mention mosquito exposure. Have you checked your yard for standing water since the rain stopped?
