Two more locally acquired cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in Orange County, bringing the county’s total to five, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Health officials said both new cases are in the Apopka area. Two previous cases were also reported in the Apopka area, while another was reported in Pine Hills.
Orange County Mosquito Control said the two new cases are close to previous local cases and officials believe dengue appears to be spreading in that area.
The county is now preparing to use aerial spraying in addition to work already underway on the ground.
Mosquito Control crews have been going door to door around areas connected to cases, inspecting and treating containers that can hold water, targeting mosquito larvae and adults and conducting nighttime spraying.
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Officials are also trapping mosquitoes near the cases and testing them for dengue. Mosquito Control said none of the mosquitoes tested so far have shown active dengue virus.
The county has not yet announced exactly when or where the aerial treatments will take place. Mosquito Control said people in treatment areas will receive at least 48 hours’ notice through OC Alert, social media and the county’s website. Spraying will begin after sunset.
Mosquito Control officials said the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary mosquito that spreads dengue, typically travels less than about 600 feet from where it hatches. The mosquito commonly breeds in containers around homes, including flowerpots, buckets, tires and children’s toys.
Officials showed News 6 one small container with hundreds of Aedes aegypti eggs around its edge.
“One little container in your yard can be breeding hundreds of mosquitoes, if not thousands of mosquitoes,” a Mosquito Control official said.
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Health officials recommend checking around homes for standing water and dumping it out, repairing damaged screens on windows, doors and screened porches, using an EPA-registered insect repellent and covering exposed skin with long sleeves and pants when possible.
Dengue is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito and is not spread directly from person to person.
According to DOH-Orange, symptoms can include fever, severe muscle and joint pain and sometimes a rash. Symptoms can appear within 15 days after a bite from an infected mosquito.
Anyone experiencing symptoms can contact DOH-Orange at 407-858-1420.