We are thinking of going to Florida. From Sept to around Feb. Somewhere between Miami and Cocoa Beach. Are mosquitos a real problem there. We have three kids 10 6 and 1. We keep hearing thes horror stories about malaria and not being able to go out at night? Any info appreciated.

I've lived in Florida for over 25 years and although they used to be a horrible problem they are greatly reduced these days mainly thanks to the elected or appointed (depending upon county) mosquito control boards, even more important here than the vote counting people (obviously). But in any case, the real mosquito problem is in the rainy season --June to September, so you have extremely little to worry about. Malaria? I haven't heard of a case of that in years in Florida--but it may be possible. I won't mention the rare but horrible other things that have happened as a result of mosquitos, but do not worry! Besides the east coast where you're talking about is much less bothered by mosquitos than the central parts of Florida or the southwestern parts.

Unless you're going into a rural area, mosquitoes are kept at bay in Florida by the afore-mentioned aerial sprays. Even on the southwest coast of FL there aren't problems. However, noseeums (sp?) are a different matter around canals and pool areas at night. Little, almost invisible bastard bugs that have quite a bite for something so small. (Try avon Skin-so-soft as a repellent...works like a charm for most bugs and isn't as harsh as something like Off.) Make sure you and your kids don't walk barefoot anywhere but the beach: fire ants will tear you up if you disturb them. Not to fear though, these critters are easily avoidable if you watch for them.

Patrick, have you EVER heard of a case of malaria in FL? Encephalitis maybe, and even that is rare as rare can be and again, in the rainy season, but I've never heard of anyone getting malaria here. The closest country to FL that has even a slight problem, to my knowledge, is Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic).

Even in the rainy season, I've found mosquitoes here (Tampa area) to be less of a problem than they were in MA, where I grew up, and where we've spent a couple of years in adulthood after being transferred.

Carol, do you home school? (The months you'll be here falling within the normal term) If not, I'd have more concern about school systems and finding a good one, than about insects. The schools could be the fly in your ointment! IMHO.

My m-i-l insists there are no bugs in TB/SPB .. they're confined to south FL climes. But there are occasional sightings of ^AH^. I've been released from re-ed for the weekend, with the expectation I'll practice faith-based behaviors. Way cool (I'm practicing up for Malibu). Ciao

Olive:
Malaria might be rare in Florida, But a quick websearch revealed that in 1996 two cases of malaria (with mosquitos as the vector) were identified in Palm Beach County, Florida. Both patients were not from (nor had recently visited) countries that have higher rates of malaria. However, I agree with the general opinion here that mosquito-borne diseases are no reason not to come to Florida.

Larry, perhaps choosing PBC is not your strongest suit. C

L has been drinking again. And so early in the afternoon, to boot. Please go to a meeting.

Gee, Larry, I'll admit I skipped my meeting ... I'm just in hysterics about your bug warnings ... I can see it now ... FLASH ... the seniors of PBC are once again at risk, but this time from mosquito-borne diseases rampant in their midst. Local pest authorities are warning tourists not to enter the malarial zone ... pictures at 11. FLASH.

Larry,

I looked in the web too as I've never heard of any cases of malaria in this area. Now that would really be something for the papers to trumpet, wouldn't it? What was your website, out of curiosity? Are they saying these two people had not been out of the country within the past year? Of course it can take that long and longer for the first symptoms to appear. One of the sites even talks of a woman they believe had the disease but was asymptomatic for 71 years (and not here gt;)!!

Of the several sites I looked at, the only references I found to cases in the US was this from the CDC's site: "Each year in the United States, a few cases of malaria result from blood transfusions, are passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy, or are transmitted by locally infected mosquitoes". No mention of specific places however.

And another from one other site, saying: "In North America and Europe most of the cases are reported in patients returning from malaria endemic regions and occasionally, infections can be as a result of blood transfusions"

And this from the International Development Research Centre which appears to contradict the others: "Intense and costly control programmes targeting malaria, that incorporate a variety of approaches such as environmental modification and indoor spraying with DDT, have succeeded in eliminating or significantly reducing the disease in many countries. Malaria has been eliminated in former Soviet Republics, the USA, Italy, Korea and many Caribbean Islands."

Well, even if somehow it were contracted here, two cases in the past 5 years would not qualify as "these horror stories", and as you say, mosquito borne diseases are no reason to stay away!

L, by the way, was making a funny about PBC and FL's bugs, and other oddities its population. gt;))

Olive Oyl: actually those cases Larry mentions that happened more recently were news to me, but during the 1920's when they were dredging and building the Tamiami Trail across the Everglades there was supposedly a huge problem with Malaria. And encephalitis was the one thing I didn't want to mention to Carol for fear of scaring her even more. But as you say it also is extremely rare.

OO, uh-oh, no-no, I wasn't being that funny ... thx for the cover. Research at CDC in Atlanta ... amazing ... my hat doff-ed. The flight down and FL endorphins thus on hold ... please announce when the swarm has passed. But more pleasantly, did you catch the shuttle the other night ... I caught a glimpse at take-off ... people say the flame and contrails are always visible in T. Bella week-end, buona fortuna e ciao. Lw/e

I think a more significant problem in Florida is the occasional rabid cartoon character (usually, an overgrown mouse or duck) which escapes from the numerous theme parks.

Patrick...Oooh no, well, I blew that one! I suspect though, that was what Carol had heard, and whoever was trying to pop her balloon, confused the disease. Now look what a can of worms I've re-opened! And who wants to 'splain how many cases of that there are(n't) each year?

L, Yes, I saw it!! It was so exciting, actually, as much as the recent touching of the revered Lombardi trophy! gt; Was watching the blast-off on news when the anchor said the vapor trail should be visible outside in a few seconds. Sure enough, there it was, plain as day, amazingly visible considering I'm clear across the state (albeit this isn't TX we're talking about). The trail began to corkscrew some and I got a bit concerned watching that, but after learning all was well, assume that was the effect of wind. I saw no flame--perhaps would have had I gone to the top of the hotel, but I was standing outside looking over the tops of palm trees.

As to research, CDC or otherwise. It's a gene passed on by my research engineer Daddy to all 4 of us. It could on occasion drive us all nuts, then we found we were afflicted with it as well. Hubby turns it all over to me...the Jack Sprat syndrome at play here. gt;

Note to one Dr. O. Oyl: At a later date I will avail myself of your unflinching pursuit of the truth (now that the PBC scare has abated) ... in a country far away there is a certain gentle little river which opens into malaria central ... travellers dare not venture northward w/o pills ... but which pills and which regimen ... that, if you accept it, is your research mission. Some yahoo you know {)is most definitely heading N, to Zululand. Don those genes.

Diff issue: that is wonderful you could see it ... isn't the shuttle cool? Yes, when it cork screws like that I cringe, think of Challenger ... Air and Space on the Mall is just a block away and I attended their memorial service in 1986, I believe ... TV'ed from Houston. Some things I suppose we never forget. NASA is around the corner ... I collected the press kit from the second launch ... will pass that along to someone along with my 1977 Star Wars art. Ah, I believe the weekend is upon us. Have a great one and enjoy. DEET e Ciao.