{"id":24357,"date":"2026-09-15T09:53:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T13:53:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?post_type=press-release&#038;p=24357"},"modified":"2026-09-15T09:53:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T13:53:22","slug":"orange-county-mosquito-control-adds-faster-technology-to-detect-mosquito-borne-illnesses","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/media-advisories\/press-releases\/2026\/09\/orange-county-mosquito-control-adds-faster-technology-to-detect-mosquito-borne-illnesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County Mosquito Control Adds Faster Technology to Detect Mosquito-Borne Illnesses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-23597\" src=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26.01_OC-Logo-V-Color.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26.01_OC-Logo-V-Color.png 648w, https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26.01_OC-Logo-V-Color-228x300.png 228w, https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26.01_OC-Logo-V-Color-600x790.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>WHAT:<br \/>\n<\/strong>Orange County Mosquito Control is now able to detect mosquito-borne illnesses in the mosquito population faster after adding new testing technology to its laboratory, improving mosquito mitigation protocols while reducing costs and waiting times.<\/p>\n<p>The new molecular testing capability uses PCR technology to look for the genetic material of specific viruses within mosquito samples. The highly sensitive method allows laboratory staff to determine whether mosquitoes collected through the Mosquito Control surveillance program are carrying certain mosquito-borne illnesses.<\/p>\n<p>The staff can now test mosquitoes for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>West Nile Virus<\/li>\n<li>Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus<\/li>\n<li>St. Louis Encephalitis Virus<\/li>\n<li>Dengue Virus \u2013 all four types<\/li>\n<li>Zika Virus<\/li>\n<li>Chikungunya Virus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cThis new technology\u2019s biggest advantage is saving time,\u201d said Steve Harrison, manager for Orange County Mosquito Control. \u201cPreviously, we had to send samples outside of our laboratory. Now, we can potentially have results in the same day, which will lead to faster responses and mitigation efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Members of the media are invited to Orange County Mosquito Control on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 9 a.m. to witness the new testing process and speak to Steve Harrison about how it will improve Mosquito Control efforts and protect the public health of Orange County. Please email Zach Downes at <a href=\"mailto:Zachary.downes@ocfl.net\">Zachary.downes@ocfl.net<\/a> to coordinate a visit by end of the business day on Thursday, September 17, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHERE:<br \/>\n<\/strong>Orange County Mosquito Control<br \/>\n6330 Silver Star Road, Orlando, FL 31818<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHEN:<br \/>\n<\/strong>Friday, September 18, 2026<br \/>\n9 a.m. to 12 p.m.<\/p>\n<p><strong>PHOTO\/VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES:<br \/>\n<\/strong>The new PCR testing system being used, the Mosquito Control laboratory, Laboratory staff working, Mosquito test samples,<\/p>\n<p><strong>INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY:<br \/>\n<\/strong>Steve Harrison, Manager, Orange County Mosquito Control<br \/>\nJose Colon-Muniz, Program Manager, Orange County Mosquito Control (Spanish requests)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WHAT: Orange County Mosquito Control is now able to detect mosquito-borne illnesses in the mosquito population faster after adding new testing technology to its laboratory, improving mosquito mitigation protocols while reducing costs and waiting times. The new molecular testing capability uses PCR technology to look for the genetic material of specific viruses within mosquito samples. 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