Floridaโs tropical landscapes, temperate weather, and captivating beaches have long been cherished by residents and visitors alike. What makes the area so attractive also makes it the perfect breeding ground for mosquito-borne illnesses.
The Sunshine State has had a dark cloud looming: confirmed cases of locally transmitted malaria, Dengue, and West Nile Virus. With the resurgence of these diseases, the need for effective mosquito prevention measures is more important than ever.ย
Understanding the symptoms of common mosquito-borne diseases can help you seek timely medical intervention and minimize the risk of severe complications. However, the best way to avoid these mosquito-borne illnesses is to bring in professional pest control and reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property.
Malaria in Florida
Also known as a plasmodium infection, malaria is a disease caused by a protozoan parasite from the plasmodium genus that is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes.ย
Historically, the U.S. sees about 2,000 to 2,500 malaria cases annually, but nearly all are imported by travelers returning from malaria-ridden areas. The latest notable local malaria outbreaks in the U.S. occurred in the summer and fall of 2023.ย
In Florida, seven cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria were reported in Sarasota County between May and July 2023. The P. vivax malaria parasite causes milder symptoms but poses a fatal threat to pregnant individuals and children.ย
Is Malaria Dangerous?
Malaria is a disease that carries significant risks and can be life-threatening. It is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. In the initial stages, it can resemble flu-like symptoms, including shivering, muscle pain, vomiting, and profound exhaustion. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications like kidney failure, seizures, and other critical ailments.
Most individuals experience symptoms within four weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some individuals may not exhibit signs of illness until much later, even up to a year after the initial infection. If you suspect you might be infected with malaria, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.
What Symptoms Should I Look For?ย
Malaria is a flu-like disease, with symptoms presenting around two weeks after infection, but it can lie dormant for up to a year. Symptoms include:ย
- Feverย
- Chillsย
- Body Achesย
- Headacheย
- Nausea and vomitingย
- Diarrheaย
- Abdominal painย
- Muscle or joint painย
- Fatigueย
- Rapid breathingย
- Rapid heart rateย
- Coughย
Some individuals experience malaria โattacks,โ which look like shivering or chills, followed by high fever or sweats, and finally a return to normal temperature. If you are experiencing these symptoms and suspect malaria, please seek medical treatment.ย
Is Malaria Common in the U.S.?
Worldwide, malaria is a common disease, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. However, it is much less frequent in the U.S. and is generally only picked up by travelers who have recently visited a destination where malaria is more common.ย
Thatโs why recent outbreaks are so concerning; these are the first instances of malaria that have been locally transmitted by non-travelers since 2003. Though there have only been a few cases so far, itโs crucial that we take action to protect ourselves and contain the disease before it can spread even further.ย
How Does Malaria Spread (& How Can I Prevent It)?
Though many people worry that malaria can spread between individuals, it actually relies on infected mosquitoes as carriers. If an infected mosquito bites a person, they may contract the disease. For that reason, avoiding mosquitoes is the best way to protect yourself from this outbreak. Techniques you can use to prevent mosquito bites include:
- Reduce mosquito populations nearby: Minimize the number of mosquitoes around you to lower the chances of getting bitten. Start by eliminating even the smallest puddles in your yard, as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Check areas like gutters, playground equipment, landscaping, tools, and anywhere water might collect.
- Cover up with long-sleeved shirts and pants: Shield yourself by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. While some mosquitoes can bite through clothing, this provides an extra layer of protection.
- Avoid dawn and dusk outings: Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk. Stay indoors during these times to avoid encountering large swarms and reduce the risk of getting bitten.
- Use mosquito nets and check screens: Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home by repairing any holes in door and window screens. Consider sleeping under a mosquito net for added protection. You can also use nets to cover your porch, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about bites.
- Apply EPA-registered repellents: Look for repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to effectively keep mosquitoes and other pests at bay.
How Do I Minimize the Risk of Catching It?ย
While itโs not possible to guarantee complete prevention of mosquito bites, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:ย
- Install door and window screens at all entry points to create barriers.ย
- Use spray repellents that have DEET or picaridin to deter mosquitoes.ย
- Address standing water by treating and/or removing it promptly.ย
- Hire mosquito control experts.
What is Dengue (& What Symptoms Should I Look For)?
Also known as Dengue fever, this disease is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Dengue is often characterized by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding (such as nose or gum bleed), and can appear four to ten days after an infected mosquito bite.ย
There are ongoing cases as of 2026, but there was a surge in the U.S. in 2024. The U.S. reported 3,798 dengue cases in 2024, with a 359% increase over the 2010โ2023 annual average. About 97% of these cases were acquired outside the continental U.S., primarily in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.ย
Dengue fever is prevalent in over 100 countries across Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, with yearly infections estimated between 100 and 400 million. While many infections donโt show symptoms, Dengue can cause severe illness in roughly 500,000 individuals annually and leads to about 40,000 deaths.
Dengue Fever Symptoms
- High fever
- Intense headache
- Eye pain
- Muscle and joint aches
- Tiredness
- Nausea and vomiting
- A skin rash that develops two to five days post-fever onset
- Minor bleeding issues (like nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or easy bruising)
How Is It Transmitted?
The primary mode of transmission for Dengue fever is through the bites of Aedes mosquitoes that are infected. While some might think Dengue can spread from one person to another, this is inaccurate. Instead, when an Aedes mosquito bites someone infected with Dengue, it becomes a vector for the disease, capable of infecting others. This cycle perpetuates in areas where Dengue is widespread.
What is West Nile Virus (& What Symptoms Should I Look For)?
West Nile virus is a disease that causes West Nile fever, and is spread by the Culex mosquito. With the recent spread in Florida in 2023, detection and prevention efforts have ramped up since.
Most people infected with the West Nile virus do not experience any symptoms. However, about one in five infected people may develop a fever along with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. More severe infections can lead to encephalitis or meningitis, which include symptoms like high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis.
How You Can Prevent Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Mosquitoes are the carriers of the malaria parasite, transferring it from infected individuals to healthy ones through their bite. The two species of mosquito known for transmission are Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Aedes aegypti, both of which are common in Florida.ย
Aedes mosquitoes are especially concerning, due to their involvement in also spreading other diseases like dengue and Zika, and their ability to adapt to urban environments.ย ย
Malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases can cause severe illness and even death, so professional mosquito extermination is important now more than ever.ย
Bug Out, Your Partners in Florida Mosquito Controlย
Having mosquitoes buzzing around your backyard is never ideal, but itโs potentially dangerous. While it may feel impossible to get rid of these pests, the experts at Bug Out are here to help.ย
Dedicated to providing our community with quality pest control services, the highly trained experts at Bug Out have over 60 years of experience with the unique pest challenges of Jacksonville FL. Our state-licensed technicians use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to identify and treat the root cause of the problem, so you can get reliable and long-lasting results.ย
Donโt hesitate to protect your home and family, give us a call today for a free quote!
