Response to An Outbreak of Locally Transmitted Dengue in Key Largo, FL, by The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District

Abstract

ABSTRACT Dengue virus (DENV) is an ever-increasing threat to the residents of South Florida. Seventy-two cases of locally acquired dengue were contracted by residents and visitors of Key Largo, FL, in 2020. The primary vector, Aedes aegypti, has been a large focus of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District’s (FKMCD) control measures for over a decade. This paper recounts the 2020 outbreak of DENV in Key Largo, FL, and the FKMCD’s Ae. aegypti operational response. The overall House Index (13.43%) during the outbreak was considered high (>5%) risk for local transmission. Larval habitat characterized from property inspections was similar to previous larval (τ = 0.78, P < 0.005) and pupal (τ = 0.745, P < 0.005) habitat studies. Adult surveillance of the active dengue transmission area provided 3 positive pools out of 1,518 mosquitoes tested resulting in a minimum infection rate of 1.976. Increased personnel response with long-term larvicide formulations and increased aerial, truck, and handheld ultra-low-volume adulticide control measures quickly reduced the Ae. aegypti surveillance numbers below the action threshold. No active cases of dengue have been reported since October 2020.