WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — October 21, 2026

Pasco County is intensifying mosquito surveillance and control efforts as locally acquired dengue cases affect the Tampa Bay region.

The county declared a local state of emergency related to dengue on September 23. On September 28, the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County reported a third confirmed locally acquired case and said it was coordinating prevention efforts with the Pasco County Mosquito Control District.

Why This Matters to Wesley Chapel

Dengue is primarily transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can breed in small amounts of standing water around homes and businesses.

Pasco residents regularly travel to Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus counties. Because of that movement, mosquito-borne disease activity in one county can affect neighboring communities.

The mosquito district has expanded surveillance and treatment activity. Residents may see aircraft, trucks or crews working during daylight, evening or nighttime hours. Additional emergency treatments began October 19.

What Residents Should Do

Once every week, drain or dump standing water from flowerpots, buckets, toys, birdbaths, pet bowls, gutters, pool covers and other containers. Wear long sleeves when practical, use EPA-registered repellent and keep doors and windows screened.

ONCE EVERY WEEKTIPEmpty waterTOSSRemove containersCOVERProtect water sourcesSCRUBClean containers

Dengue symptoms may include fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting and rash. Symptoms may appear within 15 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Dengue is not spread through ordinary casual contact.

Residents with symptoms should contact a healthcare provider and mention possible mosquito exposure. Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.

For mosquito-control information, contact the Pasco County Mosquito Control District at 727-376-4568 or visit https://www.pascomosquito.org. DOH-Pasco can be reached at 727-619-0300.

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