Floridians Face Growing Risk of Mosquito-Borne Illness in 2024 Following Historic Numbers Recorded in 2023

~Highly Trained Public Servants Up to the Challenge, Stand Ready on the Front Lines~

Tallahassee – With early forecasts warning of a rainier and wetter year ahead, mosquito-borne illnesses are making an unwelcome resurgence in Florida threatening to spread into our state’s backyards, beaches, parks and more.

Last year, south Florida counties saw the largest dengue fever outbreak in more than 75 years. Similarly, malaria was locally transmitted in our state for the first time in more than 20 years.

Senator Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) today joined members of the FMCA at a press conference at the State Capitol, thanking them for their 24/7 work to control mosquitoes.  “These public servants are unsung heroes,” said Senator Boyd.  “The potential health threat to tens of millions of Floridians and visitors is dramatically reduced by mosquito control professionals who deploy high-tech tools, scientific research and 24/7 work in the air and on the ground. This year threatens to bring higher than normal rainfall which would increase the mosquito population and the risk of mosquito-borne illness. But I rest easy, and Floridians can too, knowing our state has the nation’s best mosquito-control teams working to protect our health and our economy.”

Each year during the Legislative Session, FMCA members travel to Tallahassee to advocate on behalf of their work. Members include 15 independent mosquito control districts (MCDs) with constitutionally elected boards that work with the state’s 42 county and municipal mosquito control programs to control the mosquito population in Florida.

“We are proud to work with so many partners including local health departments and local officials,” said FMCA Board Member Phil Goodman, chairman of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District. “But one of the biggest reasons for our success in controlling mosquitoes is the constant collaboration between mosquito control programs and districts. Whether it’s Pensacola or Miami or anywhere in between, we work as one statewide unit when it comes to ensuring we are all doing our best work to keep our state healthy and our economy booming.”

For more than 100 years, scientists and entomologists in Florida have worked together to educate the public about the multitude of dangerous diseases that can be transmitted via a mosquito bite – including Zika, West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, as well as Dengue fever.

“As a practicing physician in the Florida Keys I have seen firsthand the detrimental effects of what a simple mosquito bite can do to the human body,” said Dr. Zuba, M.D. pediatrics, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District board member. “Due to Florida’s tropical and sub-tropical climates, we have to remain vigilant all year round – using appropriate protections and repellants while outdoors, especially during the dawn and dusk hours when mosquitos are most active.”

Also joining the FMCA at the press conference were several members of the legislature along with Tallahassee resident Bob Lotane, who in 2014 contracted West Nile Virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Lotane shared his story and urged all Floridians to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.

To learn more about the FMCA, please click here.

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