All Hands on Deck: Hillsborough County Ramps Up Dengue Response

Hillsborough County is bringing in reinforcements from neighboring counties as Mosquito Management works around the clock to respond to an unprecedented level of locally acquired dengue virus. For the first time, Hillsborough County has entered into agreements with both Manatee and Pasco Counties to assist with its mosquito response.

The partnership provides additional helicopters, trained pilots, and specialized mosquito-control capabilities to help expand aerial treatment operations and give Hillsborough County crews additional support. It's an all-hands-on-deck effort to reduce mosquito populations and disrupt the spread of dengue.

Memorandum of Understanding

Under an agreement approved by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, Manatee County is providing additional helicopters and pilots to help conduct aerial mosquito-management operations. Having additional pilots available is especially important during an intensive response, when Hillsborough County's trained pilots are working extended hours and there are only a limited number of pilots qualified to conduct specialized helicopter operations. The additional aircraft also will allow crews to cover more ground while reducing fatigue among Hillsborough County Mosquito Management employees.

Pasco County is providing specialized aerial assistance, including treatment methods well suited for areas with homes, structures, and other obstacles in tighter urban environments. The method allows crews to target mosquito larvae in places that can be difficult to reach using traditional aerial methods.

The regional partnerships come as Hillsborough County continues to see dengue virus activity in mosquito populations across multiple neighborhoods. County mosquito traps are being used to monitor areas for dengue activity, while crews are increasing both aerial and ground treatments. While Hillsborough County does not typically bring in other counties to assist with mosquito management, the request for assistance demonstrates the scale of the current response and Hillsborough's commitment to protecting residents and businesses.

Understanding how dengue spreads

Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus, and the mosquito primarily responsible for spreading the virus is Aedes aegypti. A person first becomes infected with dengue after being bitten by an infected mosquito. An Aedes aegypti mosquito can then bite the infected person and acquire the virus. That mosquito can then transmit dengue when it bites another person.

Unlike mosquitoes that commonly breed in ponds, lakes, and other larger bodies of water, Aedes aegypti is a container breeder. The mosquito can lay its eggs in small amounts of standing water found around homes and businesses.

That can include:

• Buckets
• Old tires
• Flowerpots and saucers
• Trash cans
• Toys
• Pet bowls
• Rain gutters and downspouts
• Other containers that collect rainwater

Because these mosquitoes live and breed close to people, eliminating small sources of standing water is an important part of stopping the mosquito life cycle. With an outbreak of this scale, Hillsborough County is using every available resource to respond.

County employees are stepping in to help

The response to dengue extends beyond Mosquito Management Services. Hillsborough County is cross-training employees from the Specialized Services Unit within the Public Works department to assist with mosquito-management operations. These employees have previous training or licensing that gives them a foundation for Mosquito Management's operation.

These employees are helping to canvass neighborhoods to identify potential mosquito breeding sites and are checking properties for standing water. Employees also assist with nighttime mosquito treatments from trucks using ultra-low-volume (UVL) spray to target adult mosquitoes.

The additional personnel are especially important because the areas being treated are extensive. More trained employees allow the County to put more people on the ground to canvass neighborhoods while giving other mosquito-management employees an opportunity to rest during an around-the-clock response. Mosquito-management crews continue to monitor neighborhoods, set traps, identify areas where mosquitoes carry dengue virus, and treat those areas to reduce adult mosquito populations.

Residents play an important role in eliminating dengue

Hillsborough County is working closely with the Florida Department of Health on surveillance, education, and the treatment of areas within Hillsborough County impacted by mosquitoes carrying dengue. While County crews work around the clock to protect people, residents can provide a helping hand.

Residents are urged to take steps around their homes and businesses to eliminate places where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can lay eggs. Regularly inspect your property and dump out standing water from items such as old tires, flowerpots, buckets, trash cans, and other containers. Every container of standing water that is eliminated can remove a potential place for mosquitoes to breed. It's also important to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Hillsborough County Mosquito Management recommends wearing light colored clothing, as well as long-sleeves and closed-toe shoes when outdoors. Residents are also urged to wear insect repellent.

What to do if you think you may have dengue

Hillsborough County Mosquito Management recommends anyone who develops symptoms that could be associated with dengue should contact their primary health care provider. Symptoms typically appear several days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Residents can also contact the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at (813) 307-8010.

A health care provider can determine whether testing for dengue is appropriate. Testing is the only way to definitively distinguish dengue from certain other illnesses with similar symptoms.

From the air and on the ground, during the day and throughout the night, Hillsborough County and regional partners are working together to reduce the threat of dengue in the community. With the help from Manatee and Pasco Counties as well as Hillsborough County residents, the response is a team effort. Stopping the spread of dengue takes everyone working together.

Stay up to date on mosquito management operations in Hillsborough County by visiting HCFL.gov/Mosquito.