Sam Ogozalek - Tampa Bay Times (via KFF Health News)

It starts earlier and runs longer than anywhere else in the U.S., according to UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute. Most older adults, who are vulnerable to the disease, haven’t been vaccinated yet.

Central Florida is a hot spot for the ancient disease, puzzling researchers. They’re digging into the phenomenon.

Illegal supplies of fentanyl are being cut with xylazine, a powerful horse tranquilizer. Overdoses involving this veterinary sedative are growing nationally and now Florida officials are tracking the deaths.