With nearly 100 cases of dengue fever reported in Hillsborough County, Polk County Mosquito Control is encouraging the public to protect themselves and increase prevention efforts to help manage the mosquito population.
“The species of mosquito that can transmit dengue thrives around your home,” said Mosquito Control Manager Jackson Mosley in a press release. “Living plants like bromeliads, large and small uncovered containers, lawn furniture, kiddie pools and saucers are prime breeding ground for these mosquitoes. Breeding can occur in as little as a bottle cap of water.”
The Florida Department of Health and Polk County Mosquito Control recommend three steps to reduce contact with mosquitoes and prevent infection: spray, cover and drain.
- Spray bare skin and clothing with a federally approved insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Follow label instructions carefully.
- Cover skin with long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes, especially during peak active mosquito hours at dusk and dawn. Limiting the areas where mosquitoes can bite lowers the chance of getting bitten. Mosquito netting can also be used.
- Drain any standing water in household and outdoor objects such as tires, tarps, buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers,, and trash receptacles — mosquitoes can breed in very small amounts of water.
Be sure to repair damaged screening on windows, doors, porches and patios to keep mosquitos outside.
What is dengue fever?
Dengue can present as a flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and joint pain, fever, and sometimes a rash.
Symptoms of dengue will appear within 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue is not contagious and can only be transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.
If you experience any symptoms, contact your medical provider.
The county’s efforts
Polk County Mosquito Control regularly conducts inspections and uses science-based methods of trapping, monitoring populations, and testing mosquitoes.
As the number of cases has grown, the mosquito control team is increasing the frequency of ultra-low-volume truck spraying and helicopter sprays across wide areas, according to the press release. Staff have also prioritized community outreach and home inspections in known risk areas.
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