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What You Should Know About Malaria in Florida

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The CDC has issued a state-wide mosquito borne illness alert in Florida for the first malaria cases acquired within the U.S. since 2003. Seven total cases have been diagnosed in Sarasota County, while one was diagnosed in Texas. The most recent case was confirmed on July 17 in Sarasota County.

Should I Be Worried About Catching Malaria in Florida?

We understand that if you live in Florida you may be concerned about recent malaria cases, but mosquitoes travel slowly, at about a maximum of 1.2 miles per hour. Their slow speed is why all of the Florida cases are concentrated in one area, so it's unlikely that they'll spread far outside Sarasota County.

The type of malaria currently spreading is known as P. vivax, which is the most common type of malaria found outside Africa - it's also less deadly than other forms of malaria.

However, one mosquito infected with malaria can infect many people, which is why, especially if you live in or around Sarasota County, it's smart to take precautions:

  • Drain standing water in your yard.
  • Stay inside during peak mosquito hours, dusk and dawn.
  • Apply mosquito repellent before going outside.
  • Reach out to your doctor if you experience symptoms of malaria, including fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
  • Contact your local mosquito exterminator.

The Importance of Professional Mosquito Control in Florida

If you're worried about the current malaria outbreak, reach out to Native Pest Management. Our team of mosquito control experts is equipped to get rid of mosquitoes outside your house. Then, you can relax outside without worrying about risking your health.

We use a combination of mist application and Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) to reduce mosquito populations and disrupt mosquito breeding cycles in your yard. After about 2-3 months of this treatment, you'll notice a drastic difference in the number of mosquitoes in your yard.

We offer our professional mosquito control services in the areas of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Tallahassee.

For more information or to request a free mosquito control quote, reach out to our office today!