With the recent rains and warm summer weather, it's time for Floridians to prepare for mosquito season by eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Horse owners also should protect their animals by vaccinating them against equine encephalitis, which is spread by mosquitoes. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford is urging homeowners to get rid of standing water on their property to curtail Florida's mosquito population and reduce health risks to humans and animals. Since mosquitoes generally don't travel great distances from their breeding ground, people who eliminate breeding sites in their neighborhood can reduce the likelihood of contracting a mosquito-borne illness. Crawford noted that children, adults over age 55 and people who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk and should take special precautions.
Mosquitoes can breed in a very small amount of still water.
Unlike many other strains found in Florida, this mosquito is active during daylight hours, so eliminating breeding grounds is the best defense. The virus is transmitted from infected wild birds to horses by mosquitoes, or from infected birds to humans, on rare occasions. In Florida, the disease is a year-round problem, but the majority of cases in horses occur from April to September, with the peak in July and August. The prevalence of EEE depends on the weather, mosquito populations, the amount of infection in wild birds and the number of susceptible or unvaccinated horses. Crawford said horses should be vaccinated now to protect them from EEE during mosquito season.