Mosquitoes

If you are visiting Florida particularly during the summer, it pays to be aware of the potential dangers from mosquito bites. Whilst in some countries, mosquito bites are seen as a minor irritation, some Florida mosquitoes carry life threatening diseases.

There are around 80 species of mosquito to be found in Florida and around 13 of these can carry diseases harmful (and sometimes fatal) to humans.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is carried by mosquitoes and is not just restricted to horses, humans can also be infected and it is often fatal. Other similar mosquito borne life threatening diseases found in Florida include West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis Virus and the rarer Highlands J Virus.

Fatalities are rare but not unheard of so it sensible to take precautions (11 people died in the last major out break of St. Louis encephalitis in 1990).

In the south of Florida around Key West, several people have also contracted Dengue Fever, again carried by mosquitoes, the first cases reported since 1934. Dengue Fever is common in the Tropics but recently people have been contracting it whilst visiting southern Florida. It is carried by mosquitoes that bite during the day and typically those that have hatched locally.

Common symptoms of all these mosquito borne diseases include rashes, high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, pain behind the eyes and in the joints, nausea and vomiting and with Dengue Fever severe bleeding and shock. There are no preventative vaccines for these diseases.

Sensible Precautions against Mosquito Bites

If you staying in Florida during the summer months then it makes sense to take precautions. If you are outdoors around dawn, dusk or during the evening then try to wear clothing that covers most of your skin.

You should also use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET (NN-diethyl-meta-toluamide) or a natural herbal alternative. Check the labels for the suggested protection time and dosage as these vary by product; some many only last a few minutes, others for several hours. Also make sure they are suitable for the age group you are trying to protect as some are not suitable for children.

You should also keep away from swampy and wooded areas if at all possible.

The Florida Department for Health have issued a set of precautions, the Five D's:

• Drain/dump - get rid of stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed
• Dusk/dawn - time of day to remain indoors to avoid mosquitoes
• Dress - wear long sleeves and trousers (pants) when outside
• Defend - make sure all doors and windows have tight-fitting screens
• DEET - apply insect repellent with DEET active ingredient (children must be 2 or older)

Florida mosquitoes are classified as “standing water” species or “flood water” species.

Standing Water Mosquitoes

Standing water mosquitoes often lay their eggs in old tyres, shallow pools, tarpaulins, gutters, bird baths and other garden containers. Therefore if you have any of these types of containers near where you are staying, you are more vulnerable. Water in bird baths should be changed regularly, pool water chlorinated and all other standing water drained away.

These types of mosquitoes are dependent upon the level of rainfall so the mosquito breeding season typically coincides with Florida's rainy season, i.e. May/June through October (also the hurricane season). In fact hurricanes and tropical storms often trigger a surge in mosquito numbers and many eggs hatch following the heavy rain associated with hurricanes and storms.

Flood Water Mosquitoes

Flood water species on the other hand lay their eggs in moist soil and the eggs actually have to dry out before they are ready to hatch. However, again, it is rain that triggers the hatching. Mosquito eggs can survive for a long time, they just need a shower of rain to cause them to hatch.