Pinellas extends dengue emergency as mosquito spraying begins

Pinellas County has extended its State of Local Emergency related to dengue fever until October 29. County Administrator Barry Burton signed the extension after commissioners originally declared the emergency on September 24. The declaration was a response to the public health threat posed by mosquito-borne transmission of the virus.

The Florida Department of Health released a report on October 22 stating that Pinellas County has recorded 51 confirmed cases of dengue since August. Across the Tampa Bay region, officials confirmed 401 cases in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties. This figure represents a 14% increase from the report issued on October 15.

High winds during the previous week delayed the start of aerial mosquito larvae treatments. The county is now partnering with Lee County Mosquito Control to address the issue in specific parts of St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The goal is to reduce the population of mosquitoes capable of spreading dengue.

The treatment process involves low-flying helicopters spraying a fine mist of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, known as Bti. These flights will occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to allow residents to stay indoors. Although the noise from low altitudes is expected, the Bti is not harmful to humans, pets, or pollinators. The low altitude is necessary to ensure the bacteria reach standing water effectively.

Bti is a soil bacterium that targets mosquito larvae and black flies. It works by releasing a toxin inside the larvae after ingestion. This same active ingredient is found in mosquito dunks and bits sold at local hardware stores for treating standing water in backyards and containers.

Residents can register to receive notifications about scheduled aerial treatments in their neighborhoods by visiting Pinellas.gov/Alert-Pinellas. The exact schedule for the flights is still being finalized and will depend on weather conditions.

The county also offers a temporary waiver for tire disposal fees at Pinellas County Solid Waste facilities. Residents have until Friday, October 30, to dispose of up to four tires from their home at no charge. Business tires are not included in this waiver. Discarded tires are a common breeding ground for mosquitoes because they easily hold standing water.

In related county news, Wayne Mineo was elected chairman of the Pinellas County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on August 24. He presided over his first meeting in that role on September 16. Mineo was appointed to the board by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022 and has lived in Pinellas County for 30 years.

The housing authority’s finalized 2026 budget includes $90,948,798 in income and $81,101,859 in expenses. Of the expenses, $46,715,106 is allocated for housing assistance payments. As of October 21, the authority manages 18 properties with a total of 2,083 units and beds, including 1,911 residential units and 172 assisted living beds. The agency has also identified 856 additional residential units associated with funded development projects.

The Pinellas County Clerk’s office in Clearwater is alerting residents to an email scam impersonating Clerk Ken Burke. Fraudulent emails claim that a review of documents is required and often include links. Some messages come from the address certify@server.gent, which is not associated with the official office. Residents are advised not to click links, open attachments, or reply to these emails. Those unsure of the sender can call (727) 464-7000 or verify information at www.mypinellasclerk.gov.