As of February 17, one new Zika case has been confirmed in Brevard County. As a result, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Armstrong’s Declaration of Public Health Emergency has been expanded to include Brevard County.

TALLAHASSEE – As of February 17, one new Zika case has been confirmed in Brevard County. As a result, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Armstrong’s Declaration of Public Health Emergency has been expanded to include Brevard County.

Brevard County Mosquito Control inspectors are canvassing homes and businesses in the county to spread the word on preventive measures residents can take to avoid the mosquito-borne Zika virus.





Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Enhanced mosquito control protective actions have been implemented in Brevard County to combat container-breeding mosquitoes, County officials say. Theand mosquitoes , which can carry the Zika virus, are not produced in wetlands or other typical habitats – roadside ditches, retention ponds, swales - normally associated with mosquito production.





“We are currently working with residents and businesses in the county on disposing of mosquito-producing containers by distributing leaflets and through conversations,” said Chris Richmond, Mosquito Control environmental scientist. “We are also treating various containers that cannot be dumped or drained. We have crews out all day collecting tires from illegal waste tire piles countywide. We are spraying for adult mosquitoes in various neighborhoods.”





The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are daytime feeders, take cover by nightfall and do not travel far. One of the primary prevention tips is for homeowners to inspect for mosquito breeding areas around their homes, such as old tires, gutters that collect leaves and debris and containers that might hold standing water.





Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can also transmit In addition to the Zika virus,mosquitoes can also transmit dengue fever

,

, and Yellow Fever.





Brevard County Mosquito Control has been on the lookout for those types of breeding areas because the mosquitoes that breed there are the same species that carry Dengue and other viruses.





Florida counties where the Zika viras has been detected:



