Zika Virus in Florida; Cities Most at Risk for Transmission of this Mosquito Borne Disease

Some Florida Cities are Most at Risk for Zika Virus this Summer

Turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper and chances are you will see an article warning of the dangers of Zika virus and its related illnesses. Zika has been spreading like wildfire throughout the Western Hemisphere and experts believe we are at the beginning of a long and bumpy road. Zika is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito and has become a major concern in countries such as Venezuela, El Salvador, Brazil and more recently Puerto Rico. Mosquitoes are now believed to have transmitted Zika on U.S. soil. Up until now, individuals who tested positive were either infected while traveling overseas or through sexual transmission. Positive cases are on the rise and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; there are more than 600 Zika infections in the United States including 160 pregnant women. In the last couple of days have been reports of four people in the Miami, Florida area contracting the Zika Virus from mosquitoes on U.S soil. The question on everyone’s lips is “what are the chances that we will see a Zika outbreak in the U.S this summer?”

Zika Virus Transmission in Florida & the United States

In Central and South America, experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that the virus has already infected an astounding 4 million people worldwide. Doctors at the CDC strongly believe that there is a direct correlation between Zika virus and babies being born with a birth defect called microcephaly. Health officials in the United States are concerned now that the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes on U.S soil have become infected and become carriers of the virus, that it could spread quickly. Fortunately, experts believe that the true threat of Zika, babies born with microcephaly, is not as likely with the virus spreading in the U.S. as the majority of the population has access to central air conditioning and window screens. One of the United States that experts consider most at risk is Florida. However Florida has plenty of experience dealing with mosquito-borne diseases including dengue fever and chikungunya.

Mosquito Borne Zika Virus Predictions

Experts plot the potential spread of Zika by studying past outbreaks of viruses transmitted via the aegypti mosquito prompting scientists at the CDC to make some predictions including:
• Travel-related cases of Zika will continue to rise across the United States
• In some U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, experts predict literally hundreds of thousands more positive infections.
• Some cities in Florida and Texas will experience outbreaks despite efforts by local government to educate the general population on effective mosquito control methods.

Florida Tops the List of the 30 United States Cities Most at Risk of Zika Virus

The National Center for Atmospheric Research recently reported data which analyzes the risk of Zika transmission across 50 US cities. The map clearly shows cities in the United States that are at a higher risk of outbreaks than others. Florida tops the list of the 30 cities most at risk of the Zika Virus with the first three cities being Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Jacksonville is number 6 on the list Tallahassee is 12th. While the Aedes aegypti is unable to tolerate the cold winter months of many cites in the US, the exceptions are Florida & Texas where the Aedes aegypti mosquito can comfortably exist year-round. For the most part cites with the greatest number of travelers and largest population of mosquitoes during the summer months are considered the highest risk.

Professional Mosquito Control & Extermination

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