Dengue-related death in Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, as autochthonous cases statewide reach 152CDC
Florida health authorities confirmed the first domestic dengue-related death of 2026 in Hillsborough County, amidst 152 autochthonous dengue cases statewide driven predominantly by serotype DENV-2 (134 cases in Hillsborough). Concurrently, Duval County confirmed locally acquired human West Nile Virus cases, sentinel chicken seroconversions, and one regional border fatality. Ground and aerial mosquito abatement have been expanded. Clinical laboratories manipulating acute febrile blood or CSF panels must enforce BSL-2 containment, bloodborne pathogen exposure controls, and complete sharps elimination to prevent accidental percutaneous inoculation.
Risk of Severe Arboviral Disease in Patients Receiving B Cell-Depleting or Modulating MedicationsCDC / Health Alert Network (HAN)
11 August 2026
State health notices documented fatal tick-borne infections across the Northeast. Rhode Island confirmed a fatal neuroinvasive Powassan virus case, marking the state’s third case in 2026. Simultaneously, Stony Brook Medicine confirmed the emergence of Bourbon virus on Long Island, transmitted by expanding Lone Star ticks (Amblyomma americanum). Bourbon virus causes acute leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and organ failure with no commercial diagnostic assays. Laboratories performing tick identification or clinical blood analysis must operate under BSL-2 containment inside Class II Biosafety Cabinets, with tick dissection restricted to secondary containment.
West Nile VirusCDC
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.
