Florida counties declare a state of emergency due to a dengue fever outbreak described by officials as 'wildly unusual'.

What it means

Florida officials have declared a state of emergency in several counties due to a 'wildly unusual' outbreak of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease. Dengue typically causes high fever and severe joint pain, and locally acquired cases in Florida are rare, as the disease is more common in tropical regions. The emergency declaration allows for enhanced mosquito control and public health measures to contain the spread. The outbreak involves a significant number of locally transmitted cases, which is unusual for the state.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is based on official statements from Florida health officials and county emergency declarations, reported by multiple reputable news outlets including the New York Post, Gizmodo, and The Guardian. The reporting is secondary but cites named primary sources, making the claim well-supported and credible.

How new

This is genuinely new reporting on a current event, with the articles published on September 28, 2026.

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