Florida dengue fever cases rise to nearly 300

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Dengue fever cases continue to spike in the state of Florida as the outbreak mostly spreads in Tampa Bay.

As of the latest data from the Florida Department of Health, there were 296 cases of locally acquired dengue fever across the state since the year began, an increase of 44 cases from the previous week.

The bulk of these cases appeared to be from Hillsborough County, which reported 259 cases, and Pinellas County, which reported 20 cases.

In addition to the locally acquired cases, there are also 262 cases reported among individuals who traveled to dengue-endemic areas outside the county.

The bulk of these cases are from people who traveled to Cuba two weeks prior to showing symptoms.

Dengue typically spreads via infected mosquitos, and its symptoms — which can include fever, aches, rashes or nausea — will present around two weeks after a bite, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say. More severe symptoms include frequent vomiting, stomach pain, blood in the stool or vomit, or bleeding from the nose or gums. Severe cases can be life-threatening.

Treatment of dengue usually focuses on managing symptoms and staying hydrated, experts say. Prevention is also said to be the best tactic against dengue, both at a personal level (vaccines are available for those living in places with frequent dengue infections) and through mitigation efforts by local governments or health agencies.

Nexstar’s Michael Bartiromo contributed to this report.