How Sarasota County crews track mosquito-borne disease before it spreads

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A confirmed case of West Nile virus in Sarasota County is putting a renewed focus on mosquito-borne illnesses. Health officials said the virus was contracted locally, raising concerns about the potential for additional cases. Sarasota County Mosquito Management is stepping up its efforts to track disease activity and protect residents.Mosquito management crews in Sarasota County are watching mosquitoes closely for signs of disease before more people are exposed.“We are monitoring for West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and malaria,” said Wade Brennan, the county’s mosquito management manager. “We are the only nation actively monitoring for malaria because we had an outbreak in 2023.”Manatee County confirms locally acquired dengue caseOne of the tools the county uses to detect disease activity is chickens.“When a mosquito bites a chicken, it does not get sick,” said Carly Dufficy, community outreach specialist