Three new cases of Dengue fever in Lee County and a death from the disease in Hillsborough County is part of the reported rise in cases of the mosquito-spread virus in Florida.

Cases of the disease in the U.S. are typically picked up elsewhere in the world and brought home by travelers. That is the situation with the three cases in Lee County according to Jennifer McBride, Lee County Mosquito Control public information officer.

McBride said those in Lee County who acquired the disease contracted it in Cuba and that there have been no locally-obtained dengue cases.

This year, Florida alone reported 152 locally acquired cases of the disease, meaning it was spread by mosquito bites in the state. 134 of the cases are in Hillsborough County. Dengue can cause a high fever, joint pain and headache.

McBride said that many of the cases reported in Hillsborough have also been linked to being acquired in Cuba.

For now, McBride said, Lee County Mosquito Control personnel have been going door-to-door in Lee County requesting access to backyards and other areas to look for possible breeding sites for mosquitoes such as standing water in containers.

The type of mosquito linked to the dengue cases is what's identified as the "backyard mosquito" also known as aedes aegypti.

Another viral disease spread by mosquitoes is chikungunya. In the week ended September 12, eight new cases were reported in Miami-Dade county. This illness also is characterized by a high fever and joint pain.

The best way to avoid transmission is to avoid mosquito bites. Drain standing water from around your home, wear long sleeves and pants outdoors when possible, and protect yourself with mosquito repellant.

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