Pinellas County recorded 80 confirmed cases of dengue fever as of Oct. 31, up from 67 the week before, according to data reported by WTSP.

The outbreak has hit close to home for Palm Harbor and Dunedin residents. When Pinellas County reported its first two dengue cases on Aug. 12, health officials focused surveillance in the Palm Harbor area, according to the Palm Harbor-Dunedin Beacon's earlier reporting. The county had not seen a locally acquired case in more than 15 years before that.

Cases keep climbing. Florida confirmed 39 new locally acquired dengue infections statewide between Oct. 25 and Oct. 31, bringing the 2026 total to 524, according to WINK News. The Tampa Bay area accounts for nearly 95% of Florida's cases, with the largest recent increases in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

Officials have also flagged increased West Nile virus activity in Pinellas County's sentinel chicken coops. Sentinel chickens are monitored for mosquito-borne diseases. Officials called the elevated activity "an early warning for potential human transmission," WTSP reported. No human West Nile virus cases were reported statewide during the Oct. 25–31 surveillance week, WINK News reported.

Pinellas County is under a Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), according to the county's mosquito control page. Pinellas County Mosquito Control has increased outreach and treatment in affected areas. The county said it cannot handle routine mosquito complaints because of the high viral activity.

The county's Board of County Commissioners declared a state of local emergency for dengue in September.

The county urges residents to follow the "3 D's": dump, cover and remove standing water; defend with an EPA-registered repellent; and dress in loose-fitting long sleeves and pants outdoors.

Residents who believe they have a mosquito-borne illness can call the FDOH in Pinellas County at (727) 824-6932.