How to protect yourself during Florida's ongoing dengue fever outbreak

The Sunshine State is in the middle of a dengue fever outbreak.

Florida health officials recently reported more than 250 locally acquired dengue fever cases in 2026 so far, most of them in Hillsborough County, home to Tampa. According to the Journal of Emergency Medical Services, the outbreak "appears to be the largest in several decades in the continental United States."

The outbreak has prompted a state of local emergency in Hillsborough County and its neighbors, with workers applying insecticide "day and night" to combat the mosquitoes that transmit the disease.

If you're heading to Florida soon or planning a trip, here's what you should consider.

What is dengue fever?

Dengue, pronounce DEHN-gay and nicknamed "breakbone fever" for the excruciating pain it can cause, is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical climates.

Most infected individuals experience mild or no symptoms and will recover on their own in a week or two, though they may feel fatigued for several weeks afterward. However, some patients develop severe dengue, which can be life-threatening and requires hospitalization. Individuals who have had dengue in the past are at a higher risk of contracting severe dengue.

There is currently no cure for dengue; patients are treated with pain management.

Dengue has spread rapidly in recent decades, in part due to climate change: Rising temperatures extend the mosquito breeding season and accelerate the growth of mosquito larvae. As a result, dengue is spreading to new areas that used to be too chilly for mosquitoes, including parts of Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to WHO, 2024 saw a record-breaking dengue year, with over 14.6 million reported cases and 12,000-plus deaths around the globe.

How to protect yourself

Some parts of Florida have historically been a dengue risk, but the current outbreak increased your chances of catching the virus, especially if you are heading to the Tampa area.

This doesn't mean you should cancel your plans, but you should be extra cautious.

There is no widely available vaccine for dengue. Because the virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, your best bet is to avoid bites by wearing protective clothing and bug spray while outdoors.

I personally recommend permethrin, which you can apply to your clothes before you travel. Once dried, this waterproof bug repellant has no odor or oily feel, and it will stay on through several washes. In mosquito-prone areas, I wear permethrin-treated pants and long sleeves, then apply bug spray to any exposed areas.

What to do if you get sick

While visiting Florida, keep an eye out for dengue symptoms, including:

• high fever
• severe headache or pain behind the eyes
• muscle and joint pain
• nausea or vomiting
• swollen glands
• rash

If you exhibit these symptoms, there's a good chance they can be self-managed and will go away in one to two weeks.

However, if you develop symptoms of severe dengue — which often present after the fever subsides — you should seek medical attention immediately:

• severe abdominal pain
• persistent vomiting
• rapid breathing
• bleeding gums or nose
• fatigue
• restlessness
• blood in vomit or stool
• extreme thirst
• cold, pale skin
• feeling weak

Dengue is not spread person-to-person, so you don't have to worry about giving the virus to your travel companions.

Bottom line

Florida draws countless tourists to its beaches, theme parks and natural wonders like the Everglades. But it's also home to pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes — which are active year-round due to the state's warm climate.

The current dengue outbreak should not stop you from traveling this winter, but you should take appropriate precautions. Pack the right clothes and bug repellant to protect yourself from mosquitoes, and know the symptoms of dengue in the unlikely event that you need medical attention.

That way, you can travel safely and stress-free.