From the Florida Department of health/Orange County
In Summary:
The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has confirmed two additional locally acquired dengue cases, bringing the total to five. Officials continue surveillance and targeted mosquito control, with aerial spraying planned for affected communities. Residents are urged to wear protective clothing, use EPA-registered insect repellent, repair window and door screens, and remove standing water.
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The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) is advising residents of two additional confirmed cases of locally acquired dengue, bringing the total to five. DOH-Orange, in collaboration with Orange County Mosquito Control, continues to conduct surveillance and implement targeted prevention strategies within affected communities. Response efforts have been strengthened through enhanced mosquito control measures, including planned aerial spraying to help reduce mosquito populations in affected communities.
Related: UF study finds dengue-transmitting mosquito species common in residential yards.
Dengue can present as a flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and joint pain, fever, and sometimes a rash. Usually, there are no respiratory symptoms. Dengue symptoms appear within 15 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Dengue fever is not contagious but is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.
DOH-Orange reminds the community to avoid mosquito bites by taking these basic precautions.
Wear protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Apply insect repellents that are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to exposed skin and clothing. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Control mosquitoes inside and outside. Repair damaged screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Drain water from discarded tires, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected. A single tire filled with water can create the opportunity for hundreds of mosquitoes to breed and multiply.
The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site.
For more information, visit the Department’s mosquito prevention webpage or view the weekly mosquito-borne illness surveillance reports. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please call DOH-Orange at (407) 858-1420.
Key Points:
- Orange County has confirmed five locally acquired dengue cases, including two newly reported cases.
- DOH-Orange and Orange County Mosquito Control are conducting surveillance and targeted prevention efforts.
- Aerial spraying is planned to help reduce mosquito populations in affected communities.
- Dengue symptoms can include fever, severe muscle and joint pain, and a rash.
- Residents should prevent mosquito bites and eliminate standing water; those experiencing symptoms can call DOH-Orange at 407-858-1420.
About the Florida Department of Health
The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit FloridaHealth.gov.
