Tag: Florida Department of Health
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Two people in Citrus County have contracted dengue fever without leaving the area. The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County confirmed the locally acquired cases Monday. The health department and Citrus County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention work. Officials did not release further details on the patients. Dengue can look like the…
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With the voter registration deadline behind them and Election Day four weeks away, the candidates for Florida’s 17th Congressional District are in the final stretch. Meanwhile, the state is moving forward on a policy shift that could change what parents must do before enrolling their children in school. A district race built on retail politics…
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For the first time in more than 15 years, Pinellas County has confirmed local transmission of dengue fever — and instead of waiting on Washington or Tallahassee for direction, the county’s own mosquito control team has moved swiftly to contain it. The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County issued a mosquito-borne illness alert on…
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Researchers are warning that 2026 is shaping up to be another major year for sargassum, the brown seaweed that has increasingly fouled beaches across Florida and the Caribbean in recent years. The floating seaweed clumps grew from an estimated 9.5 million tons to 13.6 million tons in just one month and are expected to keep…
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Florida health officials announced in early January 2026 that state testing found elevated levels of heavy metals in 16 of 24 infant formulas tested. The Department of Health tested 24 formulas for contaminants, with 16 having at least one heavy metal that exceeded federal standards, First Lady Casey DeSantis said during a January 9 press…
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Florida health officials say they are working to eliminate vaccine mandates, though students are still required to have certain immunizations to attend school. At a news conference in Valrico on Wednesday, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said the government should not decide what people put in their bodies. He announced plans to move toward ending…
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Florida health officials are reporting an increase in cases of the potentially deadly flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. In just three weeks, four new cases have been confirmed, bringing the statewide total to 20 so far this year, up from 16 in early August. The number of deaths remains at five, reported across Bay, Broward, Hillsborough,…
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Health officials in Hillsborough County, Florida, have confirmed multiple deaths linked to Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but dangerous flesh-eating bacterium. The Florida Department of Health reported a rise in infections, particularly following recent coastal flooding and hurricanes, which may have increased exposure to the bacteria. Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm, brackish waters and can infect…
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The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) has issued a health alert following the detection of red tide near Skyway Beach. Water samples collected on January 8 confirmed the presence of red tide in the area. Residents and visitors are advised to check for posted signs at public beaches or visit the “Protecting…
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Hillsborough County has issued a mosquito-borne illness alert following the report of six locally acquired cases of dengue fever, according to the Florida Department of Health (DOH). What is Dengue Fever? Dengue fever is a mosquito-transmitted disease that can cause significant discomfort and pain but is rarely fatal. Symptoms typically appear 3–14 days after being…
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Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has issued new guidelines urging cities and counties across the state to discontinue adding fluoride to public drinking water. Speaking at a news conference in Winter Haven—where officials recently decided to end water fluoridation by year’s end—Dr. Ladapo described the practice as “public health malpractice” based on current research.…
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Clearwater’s Island Estates residents are increasingly concerned about health and safety as debris piles up in their waterways. New residents Jewell and Michael Ullvens, who recently moved from Tarpon Springs to a canal-front home, prepared as best they could for Hurricane Helene. “We had water going up and down the streets,” Jewell Ullvens shared. “It…
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The Florida Department of Health (FDH) in Hillsborough County has reported a fourth human case of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne illness, sparking aerial spraying efforts to curb the spread. Flooding from Hurricanes Milton and Helene left behind extensive standing water in Tampa Bay, creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Both Hillsborough and Polk counties are…
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Pinellas County Mosquito Control has observed a rise in mosquito-borne West Nile Virus cases through its sentinel chicken illness detection program. They are urging residents to take measures to protect themselves and prevent mosquito breeding. (photo credit Live Science) Due to the surge in West Nile Virus cases, the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas…
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