ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County is under a West Nile virus advisory after sentinel chickens used to monitor mosquito-borne illness tested positive, signaling a spike in virus activity across the county.
Orange County Mosquito Control says the advisory took effect Thursday and serves as a reminder that people can still be at risk even without obvious standing water in their yards. Manager Steve Harrison said it is not the time for alarm, but for vigilance.
“Don’t panic,” Harrison said. “Just take precautions.”
The advisory comes even as Central Florida faces unusually dry conditions. Harrison said this is the 10th-driest year on record, based on 132 years of data, with the county running about 8 inches behind normal rainfall. But he says the drought does not eliminate the risk, because mosquitoes need very little water to breed, and recent rain has left small pools scattered around where they can lay eggs.
Mosquito Control monitors for the virus year-round. Surveillance includes weekly blood testing of sentinel chickens kept in coops around the county. The chickens do not get sick or spread the virus to people, but a positive blood test tells officials the virus is circulating in the area, which is how the recent spike was detected. Crews are now treating mosquito larvae during the day and spraying for adult mosquitoes at night near bodies of water.
For people who work outdoors, the warning hits home. Tyler Bounds, who operates Triple T’s Lawn Services in College Park, Winter Park and Orlando, spends up to eight hours a day outside and says he takes the risk seriously.
“It could be hell for some people,” Bounds said. “It can be deadly, you know, for women when they’re pregnant and stuff like that, and you got your kids out here playing by the park and stuff like that, and they get bit, they could be allergic.”
Bounds says he protects himself with long sleeves, repellent and lotion, which is in line with what health officials recommend.
Harrison recommends residents use EPA-approved insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants when possible, and avoid peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk. He also urged people to walk their property and dump any standing water, even small amounts that collect in containers, bottle caps or plant pots, since it takes very little for mosquitoes to breed.
Officials say the advisory will likely remain in effect through the end of the calendar year as mosquito season slows down.
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