From the Orange County Newsroom
Orange County Mosquito Control crews are busy at work targeting a specific breed of mosquito after the Florida Department of Health in Orange County confirmed two people living in Orange County tested positive for Dengue Fever, a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
The FDOH has determined that these individuals contracted the virus locally, not as a result of traveling outside of the County or the United States,” said Steve Harrison, manager, Orange County Mosquito Control. “As a result, we’re targeting our control efforts in areas of concern to prevent further transmission.”
Harrison noted the only way for a human to contract Dengue Fever is if they are bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, and the mosquito can only get the virus by biting a person who has it. Fortunately, the mosquito that primarily carries Dengue does not fly very far, instead staying close to where it originally contracted the virus.
This is the first time Dengue Fever has been transmitted locally in years. Before this outbreak, the FDOH confirmed 24 cases, but those were situations in which the people who contracted it did so outside of Orange County or the United States.
“We have both daytime and nighttime crews responding to the situation,” asserted Harrison. “They’re providing control measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent further local transmission.”
Residents are encouraged to take measures to eliminate mosquitoes from their yards and protect themselves from the virus by following Tip, Toss & Cover!
- Tip out, or drain, anything holding water
- Toss out anything that can hold water, especially after it rains
- Cover yourself with long sleeves and pants, as well as EPA-approved mosquito repellant
Orange County Mosquito Control regularly sprays for mosquitoes across the entire County. The chemicals used are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and are safe for humans and animals.
Residents dealing with mosquito issues at their homes or within their community can seek help from Mosquito Control by calling Orange County’s 311 hotline to report the problem.
