Orange County Mosquito Control Alerts Community About West Nile Virus Activity

WHAT:
Orange County Mosquito Control reminds residents to take the proper steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes after the Florida Department of Health Orange (DOH-Orange) announced a Mosquito-borne Illness Advisory for West Nile Virus on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Several sentinel chickens tested positive for the virus, and the Department of Health-Orange and Orange County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention measures to mitigate the virus from spreading within the community.

West Nile Virus transmission peaks between July and September in Florida due to the high summer temperatures are favorable for mosquito breeding; summer rains that create breeding grounds for mosquitoes; and growing bird populations during this time, which increases how mosquitoes pass the virus back and forth before biting humans.

Orange County continues to experience drought conditions, but this does not mean mosquitoes are not a public health concern.

"West Nile Virus activity is an important reminder that mosquito-borne illness can occur during dry periods," said Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control. "Our crews are increasing surveillance and control efforts to reduce transmission risks to protect residents."

Harrison will be available to the media on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to discuss how crews are preventing transmission and the simple steps residents can take to protect themselves.

Please coordinate interviews by emailing [email protected].

WHERE:
Orange County Mosquito Control
6330 Silver Star Road, Orlando, FL 31818

WHEN:
Thursday, August 27, 2026
1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, August 28, 2026
8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

PHOTO/VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES:
Mosquito control equipment used for mitigation efforts, sentinel chickens, the Mosquito Control laboratory used to analyze mosquito samples, the Mosquito Control facility, Crews preparing to go out into the field

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY:
Steve Harrison, Manager, Orange County Mosquito Control
Jose Colon-Muniz, Program Manager, Orange County Mosquito Control (Spanish requests)

MEDIA:
PLEASE NOTE: Media inquiries between August 31, 2026, and September 7, 2026, should be emailed to [email protected]