Polk County Mosquito Control Staff ...Polk County Mosquito Control S...

Polk County Mosquito Control Staff Monitoring Dengue Fever Outbreak in Neighboring Counties

Published: September 15, 2026

Bartow, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2026) - Following the news of local dengue fever cases in neighboring counties, Polk County Mosquito Control staff are increasing their public health education and prevention efforts and encouraging residents to do the same.

In addition to the regular inspections, mosquito trapping, monitoring and testing, the mosquito control team has prioritized community outreach and home inspections in known risk areas, increased the frequency of ultra-low-volume truck spraying and helicopter sprays across wide areas.

"The species of mosquito that can transmit dengue thrives around your home," Mosquito Control Manager Jackson Mosley, Ph.D., said. "Living plants like bromeliads, large and small uncovered containers, lawn furniture, kiddie pools, and saucers are prime breeding ground for these mosquitoes. Breeding can occur in as little as a bottle cap of water."

Tips provided by the Florida Department of Health and Polk County mosquito control experts recommend the following to reduce contact with mosquitoes and prevent the infection of dengue fever:

• Practice spray, cover and drain.
• Control mosquitoes inside and outside. Repair damaged screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
• Drain any standing water in household and outdoor objects such as tires, tarps, buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers and trash receptacles.
• Spray bare skin and clothing with EPA-approved insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Make sure to follow label instructions carefully.
• Cover your skin with long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes, especially during peak active mosquito hours at dusk and dawn. Limiting the surface area where mosquitoes can bite you prevents the potential of getting bitten. Mosquito netting can also be used.

"The Mosquito Control team remains committed to preserving public health," said Mosley.

Dengue can present as a flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and joint pain, fever, and sometimes a rash. Symptoms of dengue will appear within 3-14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue is not contagious and can only be transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Polk County Mosquito Control uses science-based methods of trapping, monitoring populations and testing mosquitoes.

If you experience any symptoms, please contact your medical provider. For more information on Polk County Mosquito Control and their services, please visit our website at https://www.polkfl.gov/services/mosquito-control/, or call 863-534-7377.