Dengue

Hillsborough added 36 cases, per the latest state report on mosquito-borne illnesses, while Pasco and Pinellas officials went into a proactive mode while their counts remain low.

One thing all Florida voters will get to decide on Nov. 3: Whether to reduce property taxes. On this episode, we examine the possible effect on fire rescue services and community growth planning.

The 80-year-old was apparently the first person in the region killed by the mosquito-spread virus in nearly a century. At the same time, there are signs the Hillsborough County outbreak could be waning.

The Florida Department of Health and Jacksonville Mosquito Control are coordinating West Nile surveillance and prevention.

Citing privacy issues, an official said the health department "is unable to provide additional details." However, the investigation occurs after Hillsborough was described as an "epicenter" of an outbreak.

Learning what attracts the pests could be useful to designing repellents that deter them from biting people and reducing local populations. A recent FIU study shows humans aren't the only fussy eaters.

The county reported 59 of the state's 73 cases this year as of the latest weekly update from Aug. 23-29. That 29 more than the previous update. There are three important steps for prevention.

Noting that "dengue does not stop at county lines," Pinellas' mosquito control said it was expanding its response by focusing ground inspections and dawn fogging in the Palm Harbor and St. Petersburg areas.

Five mosquito pools tested positive for the disease in Hillsborough, which added seven cases over the past week. And there was third case in Pinellas after going 15 years without one.

Health alerts are in effect for several counties in Florida as officials monitor mosquito-borne illnesses after heavy rainfall.

Eight people in Hillsborough and two in Pinellas recently contracted the mosquito-borne illness locally, officials say. Both counties are under alerts. The disease is not endemic to the Tampa Bay region.

City councilman Bill Carlson says he has a “win-win-win” stadium plan that can benefit Tampa and Rays fans and won’t use sales taxes or increase property taxes.