Orange County Mosquito Control is currently engaged in an intensified fight against a potential Dengue Fever outbreak. This action comes after the Florida Department of Health in Orange County confirmed that two local individuals have tested positive for the disease. According to a recent statement from Orange County, these are the first locally transmitted cases in the county in years, raising concerns about the presence of the Aedes mosquitoes responsible for the spread of the virus.
Steve Harrison, the manager of Orange County Mosquito Control, explained that the mosquito most commonly associated with Dengue Fever stays near where it contracted the virus, thus limiting its flight range. In a statement obtained by the newsroom of Orange County, Harrison said, "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." Identifying the location of the infected mosquitoes has led to targeted mosquito control efforts to prevent the virus from spreading further.
To curb the spread of Dengue, Orange County Mosquito Control has deployed both daytime and nighttime crews, implementing control measures advocated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The control strategies involve using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved chemicals, safe for both humans and animals, in efforts to blanket the county. Preventative advice is also being disseminated to residents - things such as tipping or draining receptacles holding water, tossing out items that collect rainwater, and covering skin with long sleeves, pants, and EPA-approved mosquito repellents.
Orange County residents experiencing mosquito issues in their neighborhoods are being instructed to contact Orange County's 311 hotlines for assistance.
