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First Dengue Fever Death of 2026 Reported in Florida
Confirmed
In Short: An elderly Tampa woman died of dengue fever, marking the first such death in Florida this year.
The first death from dengue fever in Florida in 2026 has been reported, with an elderly Tampa woman succumbing to the disease on September 4, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The death marks a significant milestone in the ongoing dengue fever outbreak in the state, which has seen a sharp increase in cases this year.
Health officials confirmed that the woman, 80-year-old Gay Small, died of dengue infection, septic shock, and multi-organ failure, as detailed in a death certificate obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.
The surge in dengue cases in Florida is one of the worst in decades, with more than 130 locally acquired cases reported in Hillsborough County alone, a stark contrast to the usual handful of cases typically seen.
Dengue fever is caused by a virus spread by mosquitoes that thrive in warm climates, and experts link the expansion of these mosquitoes' geographic reach to climate change.
In 2009-2010, Key West, Florida, reported the first dengue cases acquired in the continental U.S. since 1945, outside of the Texas-Mexico border.
The Florida Department of Health reported 152 locally acquired dengue cases as of September 12, second only to the nearly 200 cases reported in 2023.
Across the globe, the World Health Organization has recorded over 2.2 million dengue infections this year, with nearly 1,200 deaths.
Florida mosquito-control agencies are stepping up surveillance, inspections, and spraying to combat the spread of dengue, as officials anticipate a rise in cases in the coming weeks.
Pinellas County Mosquito Control Director Alissa Berro emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, 'Dengue does not stop at county lines.
What this adds
The exact number of dengue cases in Florida is likely an undercount, as many infected individuals do not exhibit symptoms.
What's confirmed
- The first death from dengue fever in Florida in 2026 has been reported, with an elderly Tampa woman succumbing to the disease on September 4, according to the Florida Department of Health.
- The death marks a significant milestone in the ongoing dengue fever outbreak in the state, which has seen a sharp increase in cases this year.
- Health officials confirmed that the woman, 80-year-old Gay Small, died of dengue infection, septic shock, and multi-organ failure, as detailed in a death certificate obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.
- The surge in dengue cases in Florida is one of the worst in decades, with more than 130 locally acquired cases reported in Hillsborough County alone, a stark contrast to the usual handful of cases typically seen.
- Dengue fever is caused by a virus spread by mosquitoes that thrive in warm climates, and experts link the expansion of these mosquitoes' geographic reach to climate change.
- In 2009-2010, Key West, Florida, reported the first dengue cases acquired in the continental U.S. since 1945, outside of the Texas-Mexico border.
- The Florida Department of Health reported 152 locally acquired dengue cases as of September 12, second only to the nearly 200 cases reported in 2023.
- Across the globe, the World Health Organization has recorded over 2.2 million dengue infections this year, with nearly 1,200 deaths.
- Florida mosquito-control agencies are stepping up surveillance, inspections, and spraying to combat the spread of dengue, as officials anticipate a rise in cases in the coming weeks.
- Pinellas County Mosquito Control Director Alissa Berro emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, 'Dengue does not stop at county lines.
What's still developing
- Anna Small, daughter of Gay Small, shows a picture of her mother at the beach, who passed away recently of dengue fever. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ] Lane DeGregory is an enterprise reporter covering the people of Tampa Bay.
- The goal is to improve health outcomes. Health Dengue fever is spreading.
- For decades in the U.S., most reported dengue cases were in travelers infected in other countries, along with locally acquired cases in Puerto Rico.
- Many infected people don’t get sick, meaning the number of cases reported in an outbreak can be an undercount of the real number of infections.
- The CDC reported in May that 2024 was a record year for dengue in the U.S. Removing standing water around homes can help eliminate breeding sites for mosquitoes that can transmit dengue. (iStock) A total of 3,798 cases were reported from U.S. states and the District of Columbia, a 359% increase over the annual average for 2010 through 2023.
- Florida mosquito-control agencies are increasing surveillance, inspections and spraying as the state reports dozens of locally acquired dengue cases. (iStock) Mosquito-control crews in Florida are increasing aerial and ground treatments in areas showing dengue virus activity, while also inspecting private properties for potential mosquito breeding sites, according to local reports.
- Health officials urge residents in areas with dengue transmission to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. (iStock) Many people infected with dengue have no symptoms, and most people who do become sick recover within a week or two, according to Mayo Clinic.