The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County issued a mosquito advisory on Tuesday afternoon following the confirmation of a human case of dengue fever. This marks the fourth county in the Tampa Bay area to report this mosquito-borne illness this August, joining Citrus, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties. Health officials are urging residents to implement drain and cover precautions to reduce mosquito populations and protect themselves from infection. Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, with symptoms resembling the flu including fever, aches, pains, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and rash. Officials warn that dengue can become severe quickly and urge residents to watch for warning signs such as bleeding from nose or mouth, abdominal pain, restlessness, irritability, and lethargy.
Key Points:
- Pasco County is the fourth in the Tampa Bay area to report a dengue fever case this August.
- Dengue fever is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.
- Common symptoms include fever, aches and pains, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and rash.
