Mosquito watch shows more cases of West Nile

Florida mosquitoes are chiming in to remind residents that the state has more dangers than just sharks, alligators and flesheating bacteria.

The insects that can carry a variety of diseases that can harm humans are monitored closely by the state Department of Health, and recent tests have indicated more cases of both West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.

The state issues a report each week of any human cases of the two diseases as well as others. Also included are any results from the use of sentinel chickens, as in chickens put out across the state’s 67 counties with the sole purpose of being bitten by mosquitoes.

While there were no human cases, the most recent report showed six sentinel chickens tested positive for antibodies to West Nile virus in Indian River, Lee, and Orange counties, while seven sentinel chickens tested positive for antibodies to Eastern equine encephalitis this week in Alachua, St. Johns, and Walton counties.

Also on the state report is veterinary reports for mosquitoborne illnesses, including one

horse with Eastern equine encephalitis found in DeSoto county.

Currently, six counties are under a mosquito-born illness advisory. They are Bay, Calhoun, DeSoto, Holmes, Suwannee, and Walton counties.

The report also keeps up with other mosquito-borne illnesses including St. Louis encephalitis, which has had no cased found in 2019, as well as exotic viruses of dengue fever, chikungunya fever and zika fever. These latter cases are usually found in people who have traveled internationally, but the state keeps watch for local cases as well.

The most recent report showed five cases of dengue fever, all from international travel. To date for 2019, only one locally contracted case of dengue fever has been reported. No new cases of chikungunya fever were reported, and no local cases have been reported to date. One new case of Zika fever was reported, again from international travel, and no local cases have been reported in 2019.

Mosquitoes can also carry malaria, yellow fever, and Rift Valley fever, although none of these were in the state’s most recent report.

West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne virus in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people infected with the virus won’t feel sick, though. One in five will develop a fever and other symptoms, according to the CDC with one out of 150 developing a serious and sometimes fatal illness.

The Eastern equine encephalitis virus is a rare cause of brain infection, with only a few cases reported in the U.S. each year. The CDC reports that 30 percent of those who do get it will die, while those who survive will have ongoing neurological problems.

To combat mosquitoes, the Florida Department of Health recommends draining any standing water to help stop them from multiplying, cover your skin with clothing and use mosquito repellent, and keep doors and windows covered with screens.