Orange County health officials announced Wednesday that three residents have now been diagnosed with locally acquired dengue fever, prompting a county‑wide Mosquito‑borne Illness Alert. The latest two cases were identified in the Apopka area, bringing the total count to three since early September.
Targeted response and new testing technology
“We are conducting targeted control measures and enhanced surveillance in Pine Hills, Apopka, and throughout Orange County,” said Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control. “While CDC guidance calls for targeted treatment of areas of concern, we are taking additional measures. Given the increased dengue cases we are seeing in other parts of Florida, we want to be proactive to reduce the risk of further local transmission in Orange County.”
The county’s Mosquito Control department has recently upgraded its laboratory with PCR‑based molecular testing. This technology allows technicians to detect the genetic material of viruses such as dengue in mosquito samples on the same day, a significant improvement over the previous practice of sending samples to external labs.
“Previously, we had to send samples outside of the laboratory,” Harrison added. “Now, we can potentially have results in the same day, which will lead to faster responses and mitigation efforts.”
What is dengue fever?
Dengue fever, often called “breakbone fever,” is a mosquito‑borne illness common in tropical and subtropical regions. Symptoms include high fever (up to 104°F), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands and a skin rash. The disease is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which typically does not travel far from its breeding site.
Public outreach and media invitation
County officials have invited members of the media to visit the Orange County Mosquito Control office on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 9 a.m. to discuss the ongoing efforts to curb dengue transmission and to see the new testing equipment in action. Laboratory Program Manager Jose Colon‑Muniz will be available to answer questions in Spanish.
Media representatives who wish to attend should coordinate with Zach Downes via email at [email protected].
How residents can help
Health officials urge residents to eliminate standing water around homes, use EPA‑approved insect repellents, and keep windows and doors screened. Promptly reporting any mosquito bites that develop into fever or other symptoms can aid early detection and treatment.
For more information on dengue fever prevention and the county’s mosquito‑control initiatives, visit the Orange County Health Department website or call the Mosquito Control hotline at 407‑555‑0123.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
