Two endemic cases reported in Orange County – transmitted locally

Orange County, Florida – Orange County Mosquito Control, a division of the Orange County government, announced today that its teams are focused on eradicating the species of mosquito known to transmit the arbovirus dengue. The Florida State Department of Health (FDOH) confirmed on August 22, 2024 that two people in Orange County have contracted the virus locally. This means that these individuals have never left Orange County or the United States and yet contracted the virus after being bitten by a mosquito.

“We have both day and night crews in place,” said Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control. “They are implementing control measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent further local spread of the dengue virus.”

Harrison says dengue is transmitted by a species of mosquito known as Aedes aegypti. This particular species of mosquito has a short flight radius of about 200 meters. This is the first time in years that the Florida State Department of Health has confirmed local transmission of dengue fever in Orange County. So far, 24 cases have been confirmed by the FDOH, but these were cases where the patients had traveled outside of Orange County or the United States to places where the virus is endemic. Mosquito control teams responded in these cases as well.

“This virus is only transmitted by mosquitoes,” Harrison said. “A person can only get dengue if they are bitten by a mosquito that carries the virus. The mosquito can only get the virus if it bites a person who carries the virus. Fortunately, the mosquito that primarily transmits the virus does not fly very far; it stays close to where it originally acquired the virus. At the direction of the Florida Department of Health, we are focusing our control efforts on the affected areas to prevent further transmission.”

Orange County Mosquito Control regularly sprays mosquito repellents throughout the county. All chemicals used are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and are safe for humans and animals. Orange County residents who are experiencing mosquito problems at home or in their community can contact Mosquito Control by calling Orange County’s 311 hotline and reporting the problem.