What Diseases Do Mosquitoes in Florida Carry?

Living in Florida comes with its challenges, especially the ever-present mosquitoes. These pests are more than annoying—they carry mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus, Dengue fever, and Zika virus.

Especially during the rainy months, mosquitoes are rampant, posing a significant health threat and increasing the risk of these illnesses spreading.

Are you aware of how these diseases might affect you? Keep reading to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of Florida's mosquitoes.

Key Takeaways

Florida's warm climate promotes the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue Fever, Zika Virus, and West Nile Virus, which can cause severe symptoms.
Comprehensive mosquito control strategies, including personal protective measures and community prevention efforts, are essential to mitigate the risks of mosquito-borne diseases in Florida.
When routine prevention fails, professional pest control services are vital, providing specialized knowledge and comprehensive solutions for mosquito management in Florida.

Common Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Florida

Many mosquito species thrive in Florida’s warm climate, increasing the risk of several mosquito-borne diseases.

Dengue Fever

The Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes typically transmit cases of Dengue Fever in Florida.

The arbovirus can cause severe flu-like symptoms that significantly differ from other mosquito-borne diseases. Some signs and symptoms unique to this illness include:

Unique bone-breaking fever associated with severe pain
Rash may appear over most of the body
Marked decrease in platelets
Occasional development of dengue hemorrhagic fever, a severe and sometimes fatal form

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus (WNV) circulates between birds and mosquitoes, with humans being incidental hosts.

Florida experiences sporadic outbreaks, which can lead to severe neurological diseases. Signs or symptoms of a severe case are:

Signs or Symptoms	Description
Coma	Periods of unconsciousness
Tremors	Involuntary muscle contractions
Convulsions	Severe seizures
Muscle Weakness	Particularly in the extremities
Vision Loss	Partial or complete loss of vision

Zika Virus

The Zika Virus, originating in Africa and Asia, has been particularly impactful for pregnant women due to possible congenital disabilities.

Florida saw an uptick in Zika cases with travel-related transmission. Hence, officials have released public health advisories, such as:

Pregnant women are advised to avoid areas with Zika outbreaks.
The public is advised to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Emphasis on protection from female mosquito bites through repellents and proper clothing.
Screening of blood donations to prevent transfusion-related spread.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya is notable for causing debilitating joint pain and has been identified in Florida, causing concern for those who contract it from infected mosquitoes.

For infected individuals, treatment options can include:

Treatment Options	Description
Pain Relievers	NSAIDs to reduce fever and relieve pain
Rest	Adequate rest to improve recovery
Fluids	Prevent dehydration and aid recovery
Physiotherapy	Alleviate joint pain and restore movement

Yellow Fever

Historically, Yellow Fever significantly impacted Florida, but modern efforts have reduced the risk substantially.

Vaccinations prevent further outbreaks and create antibodies specific to that virus. To prevent its spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:

Vaccination for American travelers to high-risk countries.
Complete vaccination at least ten days before travel.
Routine infant vaccination in endemic areas.

Encephalitis

Several types of encephalitis, such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis and St. Louis Encephalitis, are caused by mosquito-borne viruses in Florida.

Minor cases of both diseases can present with similar symptoms. However, the distinctions between their symptoms become more apparent in severe cases:

Types	Symptoms of Severe Cases
Eastern Equine Encephalitis	Disorientation, seizures, and coma that result in significant brain damage or death in many cases.
St. Louis Encephalitis	Meningitis or encephalitis has symptoms like stiff neck, confusion, and dizziness.

Malaria

Officials in Florida maintain vigilance regarding malaria, given the historical eradication and potential for re-emergence.

Here are some of the ongoing implementations to mitigate this vector-borne disease:

Ongoing mosquito surveillance to detect early signs of malaria
Public education materials on Anopheles mosquito bite prevention

Mosquito Prevention and Control

Effective mosquito control and prevention are crucial in Florida to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

By integrating personal and community approaches, you can minimize the risk of mosquito bites and the diseases they may carry.

Protecting yourself from mosquito bites is the start of preventing mosquito-borne diseases. So, here are ways to protect yourself and how to incorporate them into your daily routines:

Protective Measures	Daily Incorporation for Floridians
Use of EPA-registered insect repellents (e.g., DEET)	Apply mosquito repellent when spending time outdoors during peak mosquito activity times.
Wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts	Choose light-colored and loose-fitting clothing when outside.
Installing screens on windows and doors	Ensure living spaces are protected to keep mosquitoes away.
Emptying water from containers (e.g., gutters)	Check and clear places where water collects at least once a week.

Is It Time to Call the Experts?

If mosquitoes persist despite routine prevention efforts, such as removing standing water and repellents, this might indicate a more significant problem requiring professional pest control attention.

Professional pest control companies (like us, here at Native Pest Management) have access and expertise to know the ins and outs of mosquitoes in Florida.

We also offer comprehensive services that include inspection, treatment, and follow-up.