Orange County Mosquito Control Implements PCR Technology for Rapid Disease Detection Amidst Dengue Cases
Orange County Mosquito Control in Florida has adopted new PCR technology to rapidly detect mosquito-borne illnesses, following the confirmation of two additional locally acquired dengue cases in Apopka. This technology allows the agency to test mosquito samples in its own lab for viruses such as West Nile, Zika, and dengue, significantly reducing the time it takes to get results. Previously, suspected virus samples had to be sent to external labs, often taking days to a week for results. With the new in-house PCR testing, results can now be obtained within a day, sometimes even by the afternoon of the same day mosquitoes are collected and processed. This expedited testing process enables Orange County Mosquito Control to respond more quickly and efficiently to potential outbreaks, enhancing their ability to identify and mitigate illnesses in the local mosquito population. The Florida Department of Health has reported over 40 locally acquired dengue cases in Florida this month, with three in Orange County.
