Zika numbers up in Miami

November 03, 2017

With Zika mosquito populations rising in Miami, county officials are taking steps to attempt to protect residents. County officials measuring the insect numbers have noted higher numbers of the mosquitos in areas across Miami-Dade County as well as on Miami Beach. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the Zika virus most often, is the target of these control efforts.

Traps throughout Miami-Dade County designed to capture the Aedes aegypti mosquito have shown an increase in the number of insects in the area. Although there's no guarantee that any particular mosquito is carrying the Zika virus, the increased numbers of these insects could lead to Zika virus reappearing in the Miami area.

In the summer of 2016, Miami-Dade County was the first area in the continental United States to report active transmissions of the Zika virus. So county officials are being especially careful about trying to prevent another occurrence of the virus this summer. Through early July, county and state of Florida officials have had no reports of people contracting the Zika virus through a locally acquired infection. Through early July, nearly 30 residents of Miami-Dade County had contracted Zika through mosquito bites suffered while traveling to areas outside the United States where infected mosquitos are more plentiful.

To battle the mosquitos in areas where the traps indicate the numbers of insects are higher than desired, the county is using a pyrethroid-based adulticide. This chemical will be distributed through a series of backpack foggers. Additionally, workers will spread an organic larvicide where breeding areas for mosquitos are found.

You also can take steps to reduce mosquito populations in your backyard and neighborhood. We at MosquitoNix® offer numerous products aimed at controlling mosquitos, including those species that carry dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses.  If you have any questions on mosquito control, contact our professional and friendly customer service team to learn more about MosquitoNix and our insect control options.

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