Warmer weather called for greater mosquito control
The mosquito-borne Zika virus infection continues to spread in Florida, with 75 cases confirmed by the Florida Department of Health (FDH), with 32 cases in Miami-Dade County and 11 in Broward. This makes Florida lead in pack in states with Zika infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Though all cases in Florida were contracted outside the state, authorities have expressed growing concern that disease – which has been connected to severe birth defects – could spread during the upcoming rainy season. The disease is carried by the Aedes-aegypti mosquito, commonly found in South Florida.
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“These mosquitoes breed easily, even in a small tin of water,” said Kevin Simpson, a Miami public health inspector. “Aedes-aeypti mosquitoes have been the cause of the spread of diseases like dengue fever in South Florida, so every caution must be taken by residents to prevent mosquitoes breeding in their yards.”
As Southwest Miami Doctor Olive Chung-James told National Weekly, “It takes only one mosquito and draw blood from a patient infected with the Zika virus to spread the disease to others.”
Simpson said it’s important for residents to know the Aedes-aegypti mosquitoes are “aggressive daytime biters.”
“There’s a myth mosquitoes are more prevalent at dusk and at night,” said Simpson. “These mosquitoes also love indoors. If windows and door are left open and have no mesh screens, mosquitoes will enter homes and live indoors if the conditions are right. These mosquitoes feed exclusively on humans, so residents must take every effort to clear their yards of standing water, and prevent being bitten if they notice a flare up of the pests around their homes.”
South Florida counties all have mosquito control units, and conduct aggressive mosquito eradication drives annually, but definitive plans for this year couldn’t be ascertained. However, it’s understood there’ll be aggressive mosquito spraying and community educational programs. FDH officer, Gabby Ramson said with “so many cases of Zika in Florida and our history with the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Florida will be leading the nation in mosquito control efforts.”
