Hillsborough extended dengue fever emergency to Oct. 8
On Oct. 1, the county extended its state of local emergency as crews increased mosquito treatments.
From our October archiveOriginally dated
Published
On Oct. 1, Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an executive order to extend the state of local emergency. The extension ran to Oct. 8.
The county extended the emergency because of dengue fever. Dengue fever is a disease that mosquitoes carry. The county worked to control the mosquito population and protect residents.
A state of local emergency can stay in effect for only seven days, unless officials rescind or extend it. The declaration lets the County Administrator and emergency managers take certain actions quickly. It also gives the county a path to federal reimbursement of certain expenses.
The county said its mosquito surveillance showed dengue virus activity in the mosquito population in many neighborhoods. Mosquito Management crews increased treatments by air and ground. The county worked with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County on education and treatment in the affected areas.
The county urged residents across the county to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Residents can sign up for notices about aerial treatments in each neighborhood. The county also keeps an online resource with FAQs that shows where treatments occur. See the source link for details.
Hillsborough County property tax dollars fund part of mosquito control services.