HEALTH & WELLNESS
Information, Prevention & Quality of Life
By Dr. Laura Méndez
Health Analyst
The Sun Post News
September 16, 2026
Florida is facing a new public health warning involving mosquito-borne diseases. On September 15, the Florida Department of Health confirmed a second locally acquired human case of West Nile virus in Duval County, home to Jacksonville.
The confirmation prompted health authorities to issue a mosquito-borne illness alert and strengthen surveillance and mosquito-control efforts. The Florida Department of Health and Jacksonville Mosquito Control are coordinating ground spraying and other preventive measures.
The development is relevant beyond Jacksonville, including Central Florida, because it confirms that West Nile virus is circulating locally and reinforces the importance of preventing mosquito bites.
The alert does not mean Central Florida is experiencing an epidemic, nor does it establish that new cases have been confirmed in Orlando or Kissimmee. Its immediate geographic scope is Duval County.
Nevertheless, the situation raises an important question for Florida families: How dangerous is West Nile virus, and what can residents do to protect themselves?
What Is West Nile Virus, and How Does It Spread?
West Nile virus is an infection transmitted primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
The virus circulates naturally between birds and mosquitoes, particularly those belonging to the Culex genus.
When a mosquito feeds on an infected bird, it can acquire the virus and subsequently transmit it to a person through another bite.
West Nile virus does not spread through hugging, kissing, or ordinary contact with an infected person.
Rare transmission routes include blood transfusions and organ transplants, but mosquito bites remain the primary source of human infection.
What the Science Shows: Most Infections Cause No Symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 80% of people infected with West Nile virus never develop symptoms.
About 20% experience a febrile illness, while fewer than 1% develop severe disease affecting the central nervous system.
Among people who become ill, common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rash.
Symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
Most patients with mild illness recover, although some may experience fatigue or weakness lasting several weeks or months.
In a small percentage of cases, the virus can affect the brain or surrounding tissues, causing encephalitis, meningitis, or other serious neurological complications.
These national estimates describe the general behavior of the disease. They should not be interpreted as a prediction of how many people in Duval County or Central Florida will become ill.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk?
Anyone can become infected with West Nile virus, regardless of age, nationality, or ethnic background.
However, certain individuals face a greater risk of developing severe illness.
The CDC identifies older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and individuals with certain chronic medical conditions as groups requiring particular attention.
Conditions associated with increased risk include diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and kidney disease.
According to the CDC, adults aged 65 and older are approximately three times more likely to develop neurological disease than younger individuals.
This is particularly relevant in Florida, where older adults represent a substantial portion of the population.
People who work outdoors, participate in recreational activities, or spend extended periods in mosquito-prone environments should also take precautions to reduce their exposure.
No Human Vaccine Is Currently Available
Unlike several other infectious diseases, West Nile virus has no vaccine approved for human use.
There is also no specific antiviral medication proven effective against the infection.
Treatment for mild cases generally focuses on supportive care, including rest, hydration, and symptom management.
Patients who develop serious neurological complications may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, and intensive medical monitoring.
For this reason, public health authorities emphasize that preventing mosquito bites remains the most important protective measure.
Credit: CDC / Lauren Bishop.
What Should Central Florida Families Do?
Although the newly confirmed cases involve Jacksonville, Florida’s environmental conditions support mosquito activity during much of the year.
Warm temperatures, rainfall, and standing water can create favorable breeding conditions.
For residents of Orlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana, and surrounding communities, the recommendation is not to avoid outdoor activities altogether, but to adopt consistent preventive measures.
The CDC recommends using insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Residents should also wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when practical, maintain window and door screens, and reduce exposure between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes commonly associated with West Nile virus are often most active.
Homeowners should regularly inspect yards, gardens, and outdoor containers for standing water.
Neglected swimming pools, flowerpots, buckets, and other objects can become mosquito breeding sites.
Mosquito-control spraying conducted by local authorities can help reduce mosquito populations, but it does not replace individual and household prevention.
West Nile Virus vs. Dengue: Why the Difference Matters
Florida also monitors dengue, another mosquito-borne viral disease.
Both infections can cause fever, headaches, and body aches, making them difficult to distinguish based on symptoms alone.
However, the diseases differ in their potential complications and certain treatment considerations.
For example, the CDC recommends avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen when dengue is suspected because of the potential risk of bleeding.
People who develop fever or other concerning symptoms after mosquito exposure should seek medical evaluation rather than assuming they have a particular infection.
A healthcare professional can determine whether diagnostic testing or additional monitoring is necessary.
HEALTH ALERT: WHEN TO SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
A person experiencing fever after possible mosquito exposure should seek immediate medical attention if any of the following warning signs develop:
- Severe headache or neck stiffness.
- Confusion, disorientation, or changes in consciousness.
- Significant muscle weakness or paralysis.
- Severe tremors or seizures.
Do not wait for these symptoms to disappear on their own.
They may indicate a serious neurological complication requiring urgent evaluation and treatment.
For information about the Duval County alert, residents can contact the Florida Department of Health at 904-253-1850.
For a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911.
What We Know — and What Remains Uncertain
Established scientific evidence confirms that West Nile virus can be transmitted through infected mosquitoes and that, although most infections produce no symptoms, some can cause serious neurological disease.
Research and public health experience also demonstrate that appropriate insect repellents, protective clothing, and mosquito-control programs can help reduce exposure.
However, the confirmation of two locally acquired cases in Duval County does not establish widespread transmission throughout Florida.
Nor does the second case indicate that the virus spreads directly from person to person.
Health authorities continue epidemiological surveillance to identify additional infections and determine where mosquito-control measures may need to be intensified.
The number of confirmed cases alone cannot establish the total number of infections because many people who contract West Nile virus never develop symptoms.
Prevention Begins at Home
Florida’s latest alert provides an opportunity to remind residents that mosquito-borne diseases are not solely the responsibility of public health agencies.
Government surveillance, mosquito-control operations, and early detection are essential, but everyday preventive actions also play an important role.
For Central Florida’s Hispanic community, health information should reach outdoor workers, older adults, parents, and people living with chronic medical conditions.
Families should understand that protecting themselves from mosquito bites, eliminating breeding sites, and recognizing warning signs are practical measures that can reduce risk.
The central message is straightforward: use appropriate mosquito protection, remove standing water around homes, and seek timely medical attention when concerning symptoms appear.
Two confirmed cases do not constitute a statewide epidemic, but they are a public health warning worth taking seriously. Early prevention can help avoid serious consequences.
Sources: Florida Department of Health, Duval County; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Information prepared for the September 16, 2026 edition of The Sun Post News.
