The alarming number of Zika cases reported in Central Florida has prompted one county to increase efforts to protect people from the virus.
- Seminole County has reported 18 cases of Zika
- Additional employees were hired to educate people about mosquitoes
- Florida has more than 500 cases of Zika
Seminole County recently hired five additional employees who are going door-to-door educating people about controlling the mosquito population.
The program director said workers have visited more than 300,000 homes to show people where mosquitoes like to breed.
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Gloria Eby, the Seminole County mosquito control director, said workers inspect the homes for standing water and then remove it.
Workers have treated more than 100,000 acres of the county with pesticides.
The county also installed billboards and electronic signs on major highways like 1792. One sign was installed just a few days ago near the Seminole County Courthouse. The sign is used as a tool to remind people to control mosquito numbers by draining and covering water.
The county also wants to educate the younger generation by increasing its social media presence.
The county has implemented these new tactics with money it received from the federal government, which was more than $100,000 for the month of August.
Nearly 33 other counties in Florida also received money from the state. Orange County was given a little more than $100,000. Osceola County received about $80,000.
"We are advising people to drain their pots such as this if they have a plant like this, which holds water. The larva will grow in these types of environments, so we ask them to change them often," Eby said.
In total, there are more than 500 cases of the Zika virus in Florida, with 18 of those cases reported in Seminole County. Orange County has reported 53 cases.