Health awareness report: Orange County urges proactive measures to combat
 mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus

ORLANDO—As the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus continues to spread – including reports of the first two locally transmitted cases in Florida – the Orange County Health Services Department’s Mosquito Control Division is urging people to protect themselves from possible infection while taking proactive measures to reduce the threat of an outbreak.

Chikungunya (“chik-en-GUN-ya”) produces flu-like symptoms characterized by high fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus, which is seldom fatal and cannot be spread by humans or animals, usually resolves on its own.

Tom Breaud, manager of the Orange County Mosquito Control Division, says the mosquitoes capable of transmitting chikungunya locally – the Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquito) and Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever mosquito) – are small, black-and-silver insects. They bite primarily during the day and sleep at night and are not a threat to animals. Unlike most other mosquitoes, they are found near residences in containers – not in large bodies of water, such as lakes.  

“These mosquitoes breed in standing water found in areas close to homes, schools and playgrounds – in places like gutters, flat roofs, tire swings, children’s toys, bird baths, plant saucers, trash cans, and even something as small as a bottle cap,” Breaud said. “We need the help of every citizen to eliminate standing water on their property, because this disease is preventable. The mosquito can go from egg to adult in seven days, so draining and dumping unnecessary water around your residence is essential to prevention.”

In addition, Breaud recommends protecting yourself with insect repellent that contains DEET (N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), which is the gold standard in bug spray.

Children and seniors are not more susceptible to the virus, but they are likely to suffer more serious symptoms. There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection, and the virus can only be treated symptomatically.

The first case of chikungunya in the Western Hemisphere was documented in late 2013; since then, there have been 431,000 cases in the Caribbean. Now, health officials believe that infected mosquitoes have appeared in Florida for the first time, as the state’s 77 cases (as of July 22) include two people who contracted the virus locally; the other cases occurred during travel outside the continental U.S.

The individuals in the two locally transmitted Florida cases were bitten by an infective mosquito that acquired the virus in Florida (probably from someone coming from the Caribbean).

From 2006-13, an average of 28 people per year were diagnosed with chikungunya in the U.S. and its territories. This year, the number is 497.

Orange County Health Services Department’s Mosquito Control Division, which actively sprays to control the mosquito population, is a resource available to all citizens, including those who would like their property checked for these mosquitoes. Call 407-254-9120 for Mosquito Control, or dial 311 to learn more about related services provided by Orange County.