# First Dengue Death in Florida

> Florida records first dengue death of 2026 as outbreak grows.
- Title: First Dengue Death in Florida · Fox News | Shortify
- Summary: Florida records first dengue death of 2026 as outbreak grows. Florida's Gay Small died from dengue complications after being bitten by a mosquito, marking…
- Keywords: dengue, florida, tampa bay, mosquito, west nile virus, september 4, hillsborough county, dengue vaccine, dengue outbreak, mosquito control, news, politics
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/health/tropical-disease-spread-mosquitoes-claims-first-recorded-death-popular-us-state
- Author: Teresa Mull
- Published: 2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dengue, florida, tampa bay, mosquito, west nile virus, september 4, hillsborough county, dengue vaccine, dengue outbreak, mosquito control, news, politics
## First Dengue Death in Florida
Florida recorded its first confirmed dengue fever death of 2026 earlier this month.
## Gay Small Died Sept 4
Gay Small of Hillsborough County died Sept 4, her 80th birthday, from complications of a dengue infection.
## Mother's Daughter Speaks
Small's daughter Anna Small said, 'Cheated. Just, you know, it’s so unfair because she was in good health, and she worked hard to stay healthy'.

> Cheated. Just, you know, it’s so unfair because she was in good health, and she worked hard to stay healthy
## Dengue Virus Spreads
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, severe aches, nausea and rash.
## Dengue Outbreak in Florida
Florida has been experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of locally caught dengue cases since July.
## Hillsborough County Epicenter
Hillsborough County has been at the epicenter of the dengue epidemic in the Tampa Bay area.
## Mosquito Control Response
Florida mosquito control agencies increased surveillance and spraying as dengue cases climbed.
## Key takeaway

Florida's Gay Small died from dengue complications after being bitten by a mosquito, marking the state's first confirmed death of 2026.