DOH-Orange Issues Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert
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Orange, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) is informing residents of two additional confirmed cases of locally-acquired dengue. DOH-Orange and Orange County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by continuing coverage within affected communities. In addition, response measures have been increased through targeted mosquito control treatments to help reduce mosquito populations.
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. Symptoms of dengue will appear within 15 days after being bitten by 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 being bitten by mosquitoes 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 (EPA) 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.