Mosquito Spraying Ongoing After 4 Malaria Cases In Sarasota: County

SARASOTA, FL — With malaria cases reported in the Sarasota area over the past month, aerial treatment to kill adult mosquitoes is underway in the region.

Four malaria cases were confirmed in the area, the first in May, and all have since recovered, health officials said. A mosquito-borne illness advisory is in place in Sarasota.

Treatment to kill adult mosquitoes is scheduled for Wednesday after 10 p.m. in urban and rural Sarasota, east of Honore Avenue, between Aston Avenue and Paddocks East (Zones S17, S22, R3 partial), Sarasota County wrote in a Facebook post.

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A ground truck treatment is also scheduled for Wednesday after 8:45 p.m. in north Sarasota. The area of the treatment is Gillespie Park, Romary, Laurel Park and Poinsettia Park (Zones S6, S7, and S12 partial), the county said.

The full aerial treatment map can be found online. Residents may also register to receive spray notifications or request service to report a major mosquito population increase in their area.

Residents in the Sarasota area should take precautions, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, applying bug spray, and avoiding areas with high mosquito populations, especially during sunrise and sunset when mosquitoes are most active, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County said in a news release.

Malaria is not transmitted from person to person. Only infected Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria to humans.

Treatment is available through hospitals and other health care providers. Individuals in this area with symptoms of fever, chills, sweats, nausea or vomiting, and a headache should seek immediate medical attention, FDOH said.

To help reduce the population of mosquitos, residents are asked to:

• Drain and cover areas around their home where water might accumulate.
• Drain pools of freshwater around the home and yard.
• Empty pet bowls, garbage cans, garbage can lids, bottles, tires and anything where freshwater has accumulated.

The agency offers the following tips for prevention of mosquito-borne illness:

• Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET (10 to 30 percent), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535 on bare skin and clothing.
• Wear shoes, socks, and long sleeves and pants.
• Use mosquito netting to protect children less than 2 months old.
• Check and repair screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.