In Central Florida, mosquito activity increases during the hot, rainy months of the season. With increased activity comes the additional threat of mosquito-borne illnesses, specifically Chikungunya (pronounced chik-en-GUN-ya.). Orange County Health Services Department’s Mosquito Control Office recently brought health officials and other community liaisons together at Orange County\u2019s Emergency Operations Center to discuss preparation for the mosquito season and prevention of related illnesses.<\/p>\n
Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted to people by mosquitoes. It has occurred in Africa, Southern Europe, Southeast Asia and islands in the Indian and Pacific Ocean. In 2013, Chikungunya was found for the first time in the Americas.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year, Orange County reported 57 travel-associated cases of Chikungunya,\u201d stated Tom Breaud, Ph.D., manager of Orange County\u2019s Mosquito Control Office. \u201cKnowledge is power in combating an outbreak.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chikungunya can only be transmitted by two types of mosquitoes in Florida: the Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquito) and Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever mosquito). It cannot be spread by humans or animals. Children and seniors are not more susceptible to the virus, but they are likely to suffer more serious symptoms. There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection, and the virus can only be treated symptomatically.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to note that these mosquitoes are \u201cday-biters\u201d and they are drawn to standing water, not large bodies of water such as lakes and retention ponds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing people can do is to get rid of standing water,\u201d said Christopher Hunter, M.D., director of Orange County\u2019s Health Services Department. \u201cWe\u2019ve found these mosquitoes in gutters, children\u2019s wagons and bird baths. The mosquito can go from egg to adult in seven days, so draining and dumping unnecessary water around your residence is essential to prevention.\u201d<\/p>\n