Disney World’s home counties fight mosquitoes as dengue cases rise

Osceola County approved aerial spraying, and Orange County has five dengue cases. Here’s what Central Florida residents and visitors should know about the mosquito-borne virus.

If you’re headed to Central Florida this fall, pack the bug spray.

Osceola County has approved a multi-day aerial spraying campaign to cut down on mosquitoes and limit the spread of dengue fever, ClickOrlando reported Thursday, Oct. 22. The Florida Department of Health has reported an uptick in locally transmitted mosquito-borne illnesses in the area.

Walt Disney World sits in Orange and Osceola counties. Here’s what’s happening around Central Florida, and what health officials say to watch for.

Why is Osceola County spraying for mosquitoes?

Heavy rain, with more on the way. The county commission authorized Osceola County Mosquito Control to hire a contractor for countywide aerial spraying, according to ClickOrlando. Another weather front is expected to bring more rain.

Planes can’t spray when it’s raining or when winds top 10 mph. If the weather gets in the way, the county will reschedule for other dates in October, at the same hours.

The aerial treatments follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendations, the county said. Beekeepers worried about the spraying can contact Osceola County Mosquito Control for help.

Crews will also keep up their work on the ground, with biological larvicide and evening spraying around the county as conditions allow.

How many dengue cases are in Central Florida?

Orange County has reported five confirmed cases and is spraying in Apopka and Pine Hills, ClickOrlando reported. Small planes were seen spraying over Apopka on Tuesday night.

Seminole County confirmed a locally acquired case in the Winter Springs area on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Brevard County reported its first locally acquired case last week.

A locally acquired case means the person caught the virus from a mosquito in Florida, not while traveling.

“Sometimes when they mow the lawn, it’s like a cloud of mosquitoes,” Osceola County resident Virginia Rodriguez, who walks her two dogs every day, told ClickOrlando.

What happened in Seminole County?

The person doesn’t live in Winter Springs but works there regularly and reported mosquito bites near work, said Alan Harris, director of Seminole County Emergency Management.

“Of course, a lot of rain, mosquitoes, means breeding of mosquitoes and more mosquitoes,” Harris said.

Seminole’s mosquito control crews fogged more than 32,000 acres last month and treated areas with larvicide, the county said. It also uses mosquito traps and sentinel chickens to test for viruses.

More cases may be coming. “We already have a couple more potential cases,” Harris said. “They’re being tested right now.”

What are the symptoms of dengue?

The most common symptom is fever, along with aches and pains, nausea, vomiting or a rash, according to the CDC. The aches can include a headache, pain behind the eyes, or muscle, joint or bone pain.

About 1 in 4 people infected with dengue get sick, the CDC says. Symptoms usually last two to seven days, and most people recover after about a week.

Dengue isn’t contagious from person to person. It spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, health officials told ClickOrlando.

When is dengue an emergency?

About 1 in 20 people who get sick develop severe dengue, which can turn life-threatening within a few hours, according to the CDC. It’s a medical emergency.

The CDC says to go to a clinic or emergency room right away for any of these warning signs.

• Belly pain or tenderness.

• Vomiting at least three times in 24 hours.

• Bleeding from the nose or gums.

• Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool.

• Feeling extremely tired or restless.

Keep watching for those signs even after a fever goes away, the CDC says. A blood test is the only way to confirm dengue.

How can you avoid mosquito bites?

Osceola County recommends a few simple steps.

• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and follow the label.

• Wear long sleeves and pants outdoors.

• Avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

• Drain standing water from containers, gutters and anything else that collects it.

• Flush birdbaths and empty containers that collect water at least every three days.

So if you’re spending an evening at the parks this fall, toss some repellent in the bag. Fireworks time is also prime mosquito time.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• ClickOrlando, Stephanie Rodriguez (Oct. 22, 2026), Osceola County’s aerial spraying, Orange County’s cases and the county’s prevention tips

• ClickOrlando, Serra Sowers (Oct. 22, 2026), the Seminole County case and Harris’ quotes

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (accessed Oct. 22, 2026), dengue symptoms and warning signs

AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.