Tampa, Florida — An 80-year-old Tampa woman died from dengue fever on her birthday, becoming Florida’s first recorded dengue-related death of 2026 as health officials continue monitoring an outbreak concentrated in Hillsborough County.
Gay Small died on Sept. 4, according to the Tampa Bay Times, after reportedly being bitten by a mosquito near her home on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa. Her death certificate listed “dengue infection” as the official cause of death, along with septic shock and multi-organ failure.
Her family said Small had been in good health before the illness and worked hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
‘She Met the Wrong Mosquito’
Small’s daughter, Anna Small, 55, told NBC affiliate WFLA that her mother was healthy, active and careful about taking care of herself.
“She was in good health and she worked hard to stay healthy and she walked and she ate right and you know, all the things that you’re supposed to do,” Anna said.
“And you know, this virus just kind of comes out of nowhere. She met the wrong mosquito, and that’s it.”
Small was also an experienced international traveler. Her daughter believes her mother may have been infected with dengue during an earlier trip without realizing she had contracted the virus.
“She traveled extensively all over the world, and maybe she had dengue once and didn’t even know it,” Anna said.
“And so this might have been a second exposure, and you know, who would know that it would be so serious.”
Second Dengue Infection Can Be More Severe
Dengue is transmitted primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes, and a previous infection can be an important factor when someone is infected again.
In Small’s case, infectious disease expert Dr. Adelor Zamora explained that a second infection can trigger a stronger immune response.
“Studies say that if you get it the second time, it’s even worse against the way that your immune system will react to the virus the second time around. It’s more a robust immune reaction,” Zamora said.
Severe dengue can cause serious complications, including bleeding, shock and organ problems. However, many people infected with dengue experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
Tampa Bay Sees First Dengue Fatality in Decades
Small’s death marks a particularly significant development for the Tampa Bay region. Her death is the area’s first dengue fatality in nearly a century.
Florida health officials have confirmed 152 dengue cases statewide in 2026, with 134 cases reported in Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located.
Pinellas County and Miami-Dade County have each reported seven cases.
The numbers have placed 2026 among Florida’s most significant dengue years on record. The state recorded more than 200 cases during its peak in 2023, meaning this year’s reported infections are approaching that level.
Health officials also caution that the official numbers may not capture the full extent of infections.
Many Dengue Infections Cause No Symptoms
One of the challenges in tracking dengue is that many infections are asymptomatic.
When symptoms do develop, they can include high fever, severe headache and intense flu-like body aches. Some people may initially mistake the illness for another viral infection.
Severe cases can become dangerous quickly, making medical attention important when symptoms become intense or concerning, particularly for people who have previously had dengue.
Small’s death highlights how a disease that may cause few or no symptoms in some people can become life-threatening in others.
Officials Work to Contain Tampa Outbreak
Hillsborough County health authorities are taking steps to reduce the mosquito population and limit additional transmission. Officials are spraying pesticides and inspecting areas containing standing or pooled water, where mosquitoes can breed.
Recent mosquito sampling has provided some encouraging signs, indicating that the outbreak cluster appears to be gradually losing intensity.
Still, health officials continue to monitor the area as mosquitoes remain capable of spreading dengue.
Have you noticed an increase in mosquitoes or mosquito-control activity in your area? Share your experience in the comments and let us know how your community is dealing with the dengue outbreak.
