Florida dengue outbreak prompts mosquito spraying

One of the worst dengue fever outbreaks in decades is what Florida health officials are calling it. There were just 62 cases caught here at home all of last year. Now we have more than 300. And now the virus is spreading right here in central Florida, too. Five cases confirmed in Orange County, four in Apopka, one in Pine Hills now, and planes are now taking to the skies to try to fight back. Fox 35's Chancellor Wynn live at Apopka now where crews are targeting this new treatment. Chancellor? Yeah, Jack, these cases of dengue are not from people contracting the virus while traveling and then coming back home. The Florida Department of Health says people are catching dengue right here in Apopka. That's why Apopka is one of the specific areas Orange County is targeting with those spray planes. Dengue is a painful virus transmitted directly when an infected mosquito bites you. And knowing those pests are buzzing down their streets, has Apopka residents like Alex Almodobar glad to see spray planes overhead? It's good that they're spraying it because I don't like it myself. According to the Florida Department of Health, symptoms can take up to two weeks to appear, including sudden fever, severe eye pain, and joint aches so intense the virus is nicknamed breakbone fever. While planes target those pests from above, local parents like Elaine Kunze say they aren't taking any chances on the ground. Don't wear perfume or any other, even hairspray, anything that smells and has a lot of scents, and wear bug spray. Make sure that you are keeping your kids safe. Get the neck areas, don't forget that, and any areas that you sweat. Also, you can sleeve up, and it makes it harder for them to get to you. State data highlights just how fast this outbreak is exploding. According to the Florida Department of Health, the state logged 62 locally acquired dengue cases all of last year. So far in 2026, that number has skyrocketed past 368 cases. In Orange County, health officials confirmed four locally transmitted cases in Apopka and one in Pine Hills. That's why low-flying planes are sweeping across these flight paths Friday night to knock down infected mosquitoes. I'm kind of on the fence about it. I'm glad that it'll be taken care of, but I want to make sure that it's actually safe. We're going to stay inside after 7 p.m. tonight, and we'll let the dog out briefly. The threat of dengue stretches beyond Orange County. Over in Brevard County, health officials confirm a case of locally acquired dengue of their own, prompting overnight targeted spraying. It's good to hear, you hear what I'm saying? Keep the community safe. Now, if there were any delays with tonight's spraying, well, the crews will be back in the skies tomorrow night to finish up. And I do want to point out that Osceola County does not have any cases of dengue, but the county is taking preemptive measures. Starting next week, they're going to begin spraying for mosquitoes throughout Osceola County. But for now, reporting live in Orange County, I'm Chancellor Nguyen, Fox 35 News.