Dengue Fever Prompts Hillsborough County to Declare State of Local Emergency

Hillsborough County, Fla. (Sept. 24, 2026) - Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise has signed an executive order declaring a state of local emergency under authority granted by the County's Emergency Management Ordinance and Chapter 252, Florida Statutes.     

The order goes into effect today, Sept. 24, as the County works to control the mosquito population and protect residents from dengue fever - a mosquito-borne disease. 

A state of local emergency can be in effect for only seven days, unless rescinded or extended. The emergency declaration gives the County Administrator and emergency managers the ability to quickly take certain actions to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community, and provides a path for federal reimbursement of certain expenses.

Residents can sign up to be notified of where localized aerial treatments are occurring in their neighborhood. Hillsborough County also maintains an online resource for residents to view where treatments are occurring.

For information, contact Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services at (813) 635-5400.