Florida Woman Dies From Rare Dengue Virus
A Florida woman dies from dengue, as state faces local outbreak linked to climate conditions.
2 min read
A Florida woman died on her 80th birthday after contracting dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, as the state grapples with an unusual outbreak fueled by local transmission. Gay Rabb Small passed away on September 4, one week after being diagnosed with the illness. Her daughter, Anna Small, brought her to the emergency room after noticing her mother had developed a tremor.
Local Transmission Sparks Concern
Small was an active individual, aiming to walk at least five miles daily. She may have contracted the virus through a mosquito bite during one of her walks. While most dengue infections do not show symptoms, this case highlights the severity of the illness. Historically, dengue cases in the continental United States have been linked to travel, but this year, most infections in Florida were acquired locally, according to data from the CDC.
Outbreak Grows Across the State
More than 2,500 dengue cases have been reported nationwide this year, with Florida accounting for 880 of them, making it the hardest-hit state. In 2025, Florida reported 517 cases, marking a significant increase. Experts attribute the surge to Florida’s warm and wet weather, which has created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
Emergency Measures and Expert Warnings
The outbreak has prompted emergency declarations in three Florida counties — Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco — with the CDC awarding $800,000 to support surveillance and mosquito-control efforts. Travel-associated cases have also been reported in states as far north as Minnesota and Maine. Ira Longini, a biostatistician at the University of Florida, warned that outbreaks could worsen in the coming years.
Public Health Officials Sound Alarm
Eva Harris, a professor of infectious diseases and vaccinology at the University of California, Berkeley, called the situation an “eye-opener,” emphasizing how unusual it is for the United States to experience local dengue transmission. As the outbreak continues to grow, public health officials are urging residents to take precautions and remain vigilant.
Source: Daily Wire
