Pinellas County Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert Issued

Pinellas County is under a mosquito-borne illness alert and a state of local emergency following locally acquired dengue fever cases reported across the Tampa Bay area. The alert, extending from Tarpon Springs to St. Pete Beach, urges residents to take precautions against mosquito bites, particularly from the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species that spread the virus.

These mosquitoes thrive around homes and businesses in both coastal and inland neighborhoods. They can breed in small amounts of standing water found in items like buckets, tires, plant saucers, toys, pet dishes, and trash cans. Unlike many other mosquito species, these are active and bite during the day.

Pinellas County Mosquito Control is increasing efforts to reduce mosquito populations and is partnering with the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas. Residents can help by inspecting their properties weekly for and eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites. The county's campaign, "DUMP. DRESS. DEFEND.," guides residents on three key actions.

Residents should DUMP standing water, DRESS in loose-fitting clothing covering arms and legs, and DEFEND against bites using EPA-approved insect repellent. Additional information is available on the Pinellas County website.