Mosquito-borne Disease Activity in Florida

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) alerted residents on June 6, 2023, of an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Orange County, and the risk of transmission to humans has increased.

Several sentinel chickens from a single flock tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEE) infection.

According to the U.S. CDC, only a few cases of EEE are reported in the United States each year.

Approximately 30% of people with EEE die, and many survivors have ongoing neurologic problems.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat EEE. 

Orange County Mosquito Control and DOH-Orange continue surveillance and prevention efforts.

As of the 2020 census, Orange County's population was 1,429,908, making it Florida's fifth most populous county. 

The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue.

Furthermore, Miami-Dade County has been on alert for these diseases in 2023.