Florida Mosquitoes Spreading More Diseases

Mosquitoes at the beach are not just a nuisance but also a public health risk. In Florida, 14 species of Anopheles mosquitoes transmit diseases to humans. 

Various Florida countries have reported seeing more Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can spread diseases like chikungunya and dengue.

According to the Florida Department of Health (FDH) Arbovirus Surveillance report on September 7, 2024,  Alachua, Bay, Holmes, Madison, Mantatee, Nassau, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Volusia counties are under a mosquito-borne illness advisory.

And Duval, Hillsborough, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Walton counties are currently under a mosquito-borne illness alert.

On September 9, 2024, News-Press.com reported, "We're seeing far above average numbers for our mosquito season," said Keira Lucas, deputy executive director of the Collier Mosquito Control District. "It really started early, and we had high numbers of saltmarsh mosquitoes in coastal communities, and we started battling them in April. And we continue to see them into September."

The leading diseases of concern in 2024 include the following:

Six travel-related chikungunya cases with an onset in 2024 have been reported. Florida counties reporting chikungunya cases were Broward (2), Manatee, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Pinellas. 

This year, four hundred seventy-nine travel-associated dengue cases were reported mainly by Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Americas visitors. And 31 cases of locally acquired dengue were reported from six counties (Miami-Dade (21), Hillsborough (Tampa), Manatee, Monroe, Orange, and Pasco. 

Additionally, 51 cases of malaria have been reported in individuals with a travel history to Africa (Nigeria) and Central and South America. In 2023, seven locally acquired malaria cases were reported near Sarasota, and 78 travel-related cases.

"Mosquitoes spread more than 500 different types of diseases. Most of these are not preventable by vaccine or medication. Prevention by vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from life-altering devastating effects of chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Yellow Fever, and using medication to prevent malaria," says Duellyn Pandis, DNP, APRN, FNP-C.

"At Passort Health-Tampa, we ensure each vaccination matches our customer's travel destination, especially when visiting disease-endemic countries." 

As of September 12, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Canada Health, and the United Kingdom have not issued chikungunya or dengue vaccination requirements for people visiting Dade County, Florida.