Hillsborough County dengue outbreak prompts statewide mosquito-spraying effort

Mosquito control crews from across Florida are helping Hillsborough County fight a dengue fever outbreak that continues to spread across the Tampa Bay area.Hillsborough dengue fever responseThree helicopters from Lee County and one from Hillsborough County spent the morning spraying larvicide to target mosquitoes. The county’s efforts are continuing around the clock, with assistance from Pasco, Manatee and Brevard counties, as well as the Florida Department of Agriculture.The largest concentration of dengue cases remains along the I-4 and I-275 corridor. However, cases have been reported in 51 of Hillsborough County’s nearly 60 ZIP codes.According to the state’s most recent report, Florida had about 300 dengue cases, with nearly 90% reported in Hillsborough County. The county has also reported one death associated with the outbreak.Officials expect the statewide case total to increase when the next report is released Thursday.Hillsborough County has canvassed 98 communities with known