Mosquito-Borne Illness

Mosquito-borne diseases are diseases that can be spread through the bite of mosquitoes. These diseases may be caused by a virus, also known as arboviruses, or can be caused by parasites. Several of the mosquito species found in Florida are capable of transmitting diseases to humans, horses, and other animals. Symptoms of these illnesses can range from mild to very severe.

Mosquito-borne diseases found in Florida include West Nile virus disease, Eastern equine encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis. Many other mosquito-borne diseases are found in different parts of the world and can be brought back to Florida if mosquitoes bite infected people or animals while in Florida.

Our office works closely with Pinellas County Mosquito control to monitor for activity and to spray for these biting insects, but the best way to control them is to monitor the area around your home. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a bottle cap full of water, so checking for water in places such as clogged gutters, yard toys and discarded tires is important.  Drain those containers.

Be sure to wear a mosquito repellent with an effective ingredient such as DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or picaridin, and wear long sleeves and long pants if you go outdoors at dusk or dawn.

Finally, be sure to check your window screens to make sure they are in good repair. They will keep mosquitoes outside of your home.

Zika Testing 

Important Links 

Pinellas County Mosquito Control:

• https://pinellas.gov/mosquito-control/

Florida Department of Health mosquito borne illness page:

• https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/index.html

The Florida Mosquito Control Association:

• https://www.yourfmca.org/

The Center for Disease Control’s Mosquito page:

• https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/index.html

EPA guidance for selecting a mosquito repellent:

• https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents