The seven-day declaration gives county officials additional flexibility to support the response to mosquito-borne illness.
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County has declared a local state of emergency in response to dengue fever, giving officials additional authority to support mosquito-control and public-health efforts.
The declaration, announced Sept. 23, allows the county administrator and emergency management director to waive routine procedures to protect public health and safety. It remains in effect for seven days unless the county administrator rescinds it earlier, according to the official announcement published by the City of Port Richey.
The county said it is supporting the Pasco County Mosquito Control District and the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County as needed.
A regional outbreak, with different county totals
The emergency comes amid dengue activity across Tampa Bay, but regional figures should not be confused with Pasco County’s own case count.
In a Sept. 18 report citing Florida health officials, FOX 13 reported 134 cases in Hillsborough County, seven in Pinellas and two in Pasco. Those figures reflect an earlier reporting period, not a newly confirmed Sept. 24 total.
The emergency announcement does not provide an updated case count or establish that Pasco experienced a sudden increase in infections.
DOH-Pasco had already announced a confirmed human dengue case on Aug. 26, saying it was coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts with mosquito-control officials.
What residents can do
Health officials urge residents to follow “Drain and Cover” precautions to reduce mosquito breeding and prevent bites.
- Emptying standing water at least weekly from flowerpots, buckets, birdbaths, gutters, pool covers and other containers.
- Wearing long sleeves and pants when practical.
- Using an EPA-registered insect repellent according to its label.
- Repairing window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
Residents can contact the Pasco County Mosquito Control District at 727-376-4568 or visit pascomosquito.org. DOH-Pasco information is available at 727-619-0300 and pasco.floridahealth.gov.
Symptoms and warning signs
Dengue spreads through bites from infected mosquitoes. Symptoms can include fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting and a rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People with symptoms who live in or have recently visited an area with dengue risk should contact a health care provider.
Severe dengue is a medical emergency. Warning signs include abdominal pain or tenderness, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, and extreme tiredness or restlessness. The CDC advises immediate medical attention for these symptoms and warns that they can begin after a fever subsides.
Sources and editorial note
This report draws on Pasco County’s emergency announcement published by the City of Port Richey, DOH-Pasco advisories, CDC guidance and FOX 13’s Sept. 18 reporting. Case figures are identified by their reporting date and should not be read as a real-time count. The emergency announcement does not supply an updated Pasco total.
