Florida’s Department of Health confirmed its first recorded dengue fever death of 2026 earlier this month. Gay Small from Hillsborough County passed away on September 4, her 80th birthday, due to complications linked to a dengue infection. The Tampa Bay Times reported that following a mosquito bite near her home on Bayshore Boulevard, she developed severe health issues, including septic shock and multi-organ failure.
Her daughter, Anna Small, expressed her feelings to Tampa’s WFLA Channel 8. ‘Cheated. It’s so unfair because she was in good health, worked to stay healthy, walked, ate right.’ Anna added that the virus seemed to have appeared unexpectedly after her mother encountered an infected mosquito.
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The family believes Gay Small might have contracted dengue during previous travels abroad but remained unaware. Individuals with a history of dengue infections are more likely to experience severe symptoms.
While hospitalized, Anna reported that her mother was weak, with red hands and a noticeable tremble in her voice, as relayed by WFLA. Gay Small required intensive care during the same week.
Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquito bites, results in symptoms such as fever, severe aches, nausea, and rash. (iStock)
Bob Small, Gay’s late husband, dedicated his career to working on dengue vaccines, as noted by their daughter.
The Florida Department of Health confirmed Gay Small’s death without adding more information. University of South Florida’s public health instructor, Kristi Miley, highlighted to The Times that such a dengue-related fatality hadn’t occurred in the Tampa Bay region for nearly a century.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dengue is a viral illness transported by mosquitoes, primarily affecting tropical and subtropical areas like Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America, and Africa. Though less frequent in the continental U.S., dengue cases have been reported in places like Florida, California, and Texas.
Recently, Florida has intensified mosquito control measures, focusing on surveillance, inspections, and spraying due to a rise in locally acquired dengue cases. This surge signifies infections occurring locally instead of through international travel. Reports emphasize Hillsborough County, Small’s residence, as the epidemic’s focal point.
Hillsborough and Pinellas counties remain under mosquito-borne illness alerts issued by the Florida Department of Health. Alissa Berro, Pinellas County Mosquito Control Director, informed Fox 13 that although mosquitoes carrying the virus usually remain in small areas, frequent human movement poses risks for widespread transmission. As dengue cases increase, the potential for local spread also grows.
Measures in Hillsborough include increased aerial and ground insecticide use, targeting locations with dengue activity. Local mosquito management teams are also inspecting private properties to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. The Times stated these actions were fruitful, with 1,500 recent mosquito tests returning negative for dengue.
The Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA) advises residents to eliminate standing water containers as mosquitoes prefer them for laying eggs. Residents should remember the ‘three Ds’:
- Dress in long sleeves, light colors, and closed-toed shoes when outdoors.
- Defend using repellents with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or lemon eucalyptus oil.
- Dump stagnant water in containers and inspect yards regularly.
The Mayo Clinic notes that while many infected individuals show no symptoms, most recover within a week or two. In certain cases, however, the ailment can advance to severe dengue, a life-threatening condition. Warning signs of severe dengue develop rapidly, often after fever drops, and include severe stomach pain, continuous vomiting, unusual bleeding or bruising, breathing difficulties, extreme exhaustion, and restlessness. Urgent medical attention is necessary for such cases.
Teresa Mull contributes as a freelance writer to the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.