Dengue

Orange County is reporting two more Florida cases of the mosquito-borne illness known as dengue. The cases are a small indication of the state's record-breaking case total.

The city canvassed urged residents to dump out any standing water, which is how the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes responsible for the virus breed. Most of the breeding spots are abandoned tires.

Health officials have cautioned the mosquito-borne illness doesn't respect county boundaries. In a region connected by daily commuting, infected people can spread it beyond the original hotspots.

Mosquito control experts say this year's unusual weather conditions — extreme drought along the Gulf Coast followed by heavy rain in August — played a part in an explosion of mosquitoes and the current outbreak of locally acquired dengue.

A new cross-bay ferry service will launch soon. Will you be riding? And we learn more about a Flock investigation that led to the resignations and arrests of two Pinellas County deputies.

Broward is the eighth Florida county to confirm a locally acquired case during the current outbreak, which has mostly been limited to the Tampa Bay area – primarily Hillsborough County.

Information from state health departments and medical journals suggests the Florida outbreak marks the most cases in a calendar year for any state since at least the 1940s.

Hillsborough County has reported 223 cases this year, according to the state's most recent weekly data update. A nearby county has sent helicopters and crews to help increase aerial pesticide spraying.

Pinellas County officials say getting rid of empty tires could eliminate breeding sites for mosquitoes — so they're waiving collection fees through Oct. 30.

Orange County Mosquito Control is working to prevent another locally acquired case of 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.