Bug-borne viruses on the rise across much of Florida. What to know

The 2024 mosquito season is turning out to be an active, dangerous one for all of Florida as heavy rains have left standing water on most of the Sunshine State.

The northern part of the state is experiencing a bug-borne disease that's new to Florida, one that's transmitted through the bites of midges and some species of freshwater mosquitoes.

Locally, both Lee and Collier mosquito control district are seeing high numbers of the disease-carrying freshwater mosquitoes as well as their coastal, saltwater counterparts.

"We're seeing far above average numbers for our mosquito season," said Keira Lucas, deputy executive director of the Collier Mosquito Control District. "It really started early, and we had high numbers of saltmarsh mosquitoes in coastal communities, and we started battling them in April. And we continue to see them into September."

Populations of disease-carrying mosquitoes are high in areas like Naples, Golden Gate Estates, Immokalee and Ave Maria, Lucas said, with concentrations being higher for inland areas.

The sheer volume of rain is one reason mosquitoes are flourishing this year, Lucas said.

Lee and Collier counties, on average, are about 10 inches above-average for precipitation for this rainy season, according to South Florida Water Management District records.

Another factor, Lucas said, is that 2023 was as drought year so many mosquito eggs that were laid in the ground last year did not hatch until record-breaking rains in June and with Tropical Storm Debby.

"With the drought, not having water standing on the land for a long period of time or even long enough for the eggs to hatch, and the eggs can accumulate over time," Lucas said. "Then when the water fills up and it recedes, that prevents predators from going in. The mosquito fish aren't able to get into those areas, so the populations are higher."

Collier often Florida's mosquito hot spot

Collier typically has the worst mosquito conditions in the state as massive preserves like Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve are located in the rural, eastern part of the county.

Lucas said various mosquito-borne illnesses have shown up in Florida this year, but most of those cases involved people who traveled to parts of the Caribbean and were infected there.

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"Fortunately, we haven't seen that in Collier County," Lucas said. "We always like to remind people to wear long sleeves and pants when they can, and stay indoors during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are more prevalent. And also wear mosquito repellent, one that's EPA registered that contains an active ingredient such as DEET."

A disease new to Florida (caused by the Oropouche virus) emerged early this summer, and it appears most cases have involved people traveling to Cuba.

“What is alarming is that many of these mosquitoes bring serious health risks with them, potentially carrying and transmitting diseases like Dengue fever, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile virus as well as a disease that is new to Florida named Oropouche which is transmitted by biting midges and some mosquitoes," Richard Weaver, president of the Florida Mosquito Control Association, said in a press release. The Oropouche virus has been reported in parts of South America, Central America and the Caribbean, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lee district treating much of the county

Lee County Mosquito Control District is busy this year as well, treating much of the county as the rain has been more widespread than localized this summer.

"Right now, freshwater mosquitoes are active because we have standing water inland," said Lee County Mosquito Control District spokeswoman Jennifer McBride. "Pine Island and Sanibel are always an issue with the saltmarsh mosquitoes and that's not only the rain but the tides as well."

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McBride said people traveling abroad should know about bug-borne diseases in those areas before visiting.

""If you're traveling make sure before you go you know what you're getting into and when you're there protect yourself, McBride said. "And when you come back, if you get sick within two to three weeks, go see a doctor."

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Bug-borne viruses on the rise across much of Florida. What to know