Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism with over one million people dying from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Mosquito-borne diseases include protozoan diseases, such as malaria, filarial diseases, such as dog heartworm, and viruses, such as dengue, encephalitis and yellow fever. Yellow fever, dengue and malaria which were once prevalent in the United States are now rare.

Mosquito-borne encephalitic strains have a global distribution, but there are three encephalitic strains of concern in Leon County: Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) and West Nile Virus Encephalitis (WNV), all of which are transmitted by mosquitoes. Most cases of these encephalitis in Leon County occur from June through October, when mosquitoes are most active. St. Louis Encephalitis, although common in central and southern Florida, is not as common in Leon County. Below is information about the different areas of the Disease Section.

• Disease Cycle:Discusses the typical disease cycle associated with EEE and WNV
  
  

• Surveillance: Discusses the surveillance methods used to monitor EEE and WNV
  
  

• EEE: Discusses in depth Eastern Equine Encephalitis
  
  

• WNV: Discusses in depth West Nile Virus Encephalitis
  
  

• Other Diseases: Information concerning other diseases in Florida transmitted by insects