HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — County health officials are reminding residents to take precautions against mosquitoes after they confirmed a case of dengue fever that was locally-acquired.

Officials didn’t say in a news release where or when in Hillsborough the case was reported.

Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause headache, eye, muscle, or joint pain, rash, nausea or vomiting. About 1 in 4 people who are infected will get sick. Symptoms typically arise between 2 and 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. People who get mild illness typically recover, but some populations can get seriously ill with internal bleeding and shock. People who are susceptible to serious illness include people previously infected with dengue virus, pregnant women, and infants.

Hillsborough Health Department said the species of mosquito that carries the virus thrives in standing water and usually bites people during the daytime.

 “Everybody needs to do their part to eliminate standing water, artificial containers, used tires, buckets, birds baths, tarps that are over boats or rain barrels,” said R.J. Montgomery, Hillsborough County Mosquito Management.  “Anything like that is an excellent habitat for these mosquitos.”

Officials suggest people cover their skin with clothing and use insect repellents that contain DEET. They also urge residents to "drain and cover" to prevent mosquitoes from multiplying:

DRAIN standing water from garbage cans, gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots, or any other containers. Empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week. Make sure tarps that cover boats and vehicles aren't accumulating water. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER your skin with clothing or repellent. Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, and IR3535 are effective. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old. Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

This is the 18th time this year- someone in Hillsborough county has had the virus- but this is the first time it was acquired here and not from outside the country.

Locally-acquired dengue cases are rare. This year there have been only 12 locally acquired cases statewide.

The last case of dengue from a local Hillsborough mosquito was in 2011. Even before then, it rarely happened in Florida.

Floridahealth.gov said until 2009, there were no reports of dengue acquired in Florida since 1934.

Only one in four people who get dengue fever will experience symptoms, which include fever, body aches and headaches.

Dengue fever can only be spread through mosquitos, not person to person.

If someone has it, the Florida Health Department Posted an online FAQ.

"Place patient under bed net or use insect repellent while they have a fever,” the FAQ explained.  “Mosquitoes that bite the patient can go on to bite and infect others."

It’s also important to know, if you're pregnant and infected you won't pass it on to a baby.