Chikungunya Confirmed in Florida

Over the last 6 months, we’ve been following the news regarding chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease that is most frequently found in Africa and Asia. In December, news began of its presence in the Caribbean and just a few weeks ago, we discussed how quickly it moved through Haiti. It seems to be moving north, with confirmed cases now in Florida.

A health official in Dade County, Florida recently confirmed the fourth case of chikungunya in the state. All of the patients had recently traveled to the Caribbean.

Chikungunya is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms typically begin three to seven days after the initial bite and include severe joint paint and fever. At this time there is no vaccine or medication to combat the disease, but it is rarely fatal.

The Centers for Disease Control have been warning of an American outbreak of chikungunya since December when it started growing in the Caribbean. At the time, they told travelers to be aware of the disease and be observant as they travel through the area. As so many bugs, and vector-borne disease spread through travel, the CDC issued a statement saying they expected the disease to come to the United States.

We at Mosquito Squad will be following the news regarding chikungunya and if it spreads to other parts of the country, but being proactive is always the best defense when it comes to vector-borne disease. It’s important that you take the necessary steps with effective mosquito control.

The first step in mosquito control is to minimize their breeding grounds on your property. Mosquitoes need standing water to mature and since they don’t tend to travel too far from where they hatch, getting rid of the standing water on your property will reduce your mosquito population.

Getting rid of the standing water on your property is just the first step to complete mosquito protection for your yard. Having a professional mosquito control company, like Mosquito Squad, visit your property every 2-3 weeks will greatly diminish the number of mosquitoes you see in your yard.

If you have questions regarding how best to protect you from mosquitoes and the illnesses they transmit, please contact your local Mosquito Squad office.