Hillsborough County extended its state of local emergency for dengue fever to Nov. 12. County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed the executive order on Nov. 5.
The order uses authority from the County's Emergency Management Ordinance and Chapter 252, Florida Statutes. A state of local emergency lasts only seven days unless the county rescinds or extends it.
The declaration lets the County Administrator and emergency managers act quickly to protect public health, safety and welfare. It also gives a path for reimbursement of certain expenses.
Treatments by air and ground
Mosquito Management crews increased treatments by air and ground. County surveillance shows dengue virus activity in the mosquito population in many neighborhoods. Dengue fever is a disease that mosquitoes spread.
The county works with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County on education and treatment in the affected areas.
What residents can do
The county urges residents across the county to protect themselves from mosquitoes.
- After the recent heavy rains, look for standing water on your property and remove it.
- Sign up for notices about local aerial treatments in each neighborhood.
- Use the county's online resource and FAQs to see where treatments take place.
Property tax dollars fund mosquito control services in part.
