Orange County Mosquito Control Will Use Aerial Spraying to Prevent Dengue Fever

Orange County Mosquito Control Will Use Aerial Spraying to Prevent Dengue Fever

The Florida Department of Health reports there are now five locally acquired cases of Dengue in Orange County

Orange County, FL - Orange County Mosquito Control today announced that aerial spraying will take place in select areas of Orange County to reduce the mosquito population responsible for transmitting Dengue Fever. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has confirmed two additional locally acquired cases in the Apopka area, bringing the County's total of new cases to five.

"We are planning to aerial spray over the next two to three weeks," said Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control. "We will be spraying in the Apopka and Pine Hills areas to kill the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the known carrier of Dengue."

Orange County will notify residents at least 48 hours before aerial spraying begins. Notifications will be shared through Orange County's social media channels, the Orange County Mosquito Control website and OC Alert. Residents can sign up for OC Alert notifications through Orange County's Smartphone Applications and Orange County's Newsletters webpage.

According to Harrison, aerial spraying is expected to reduce the targeted mosquito population by 99%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says very low volumes of EPA-approved insecticides for mosquito control can be used safely when applied according to established guidelines.

The Florida Department of Health confirmed Orange County's first locally acquired Dengue case in the Pine Hills area on Sept. 2, prompting a Mosquito-borne Illness Advisory. On Sept. 18, two additional locally acquired cases were confirmed in the Apopka area, prompting the state to elevate the advisory to a Mosquito-borne Illness Alert. The two cases confirmed today bring the county's total to five.

"It is very important for residents to ensure that there is no standing water on their property. We encourage residents to walk around their yards after a storm and drain any standing water, toss out anything that could hold water, and protect yourself with long sleeves, pants, and EPA-approved mosquito repellent," said Harrison.

For more information about aerial spraying, visit the Center's for Disease Control and Prevention's aerial spraying webpage.