Unawareness and indifference surround the recent malaria outbreak in Sarasota County, as residents continue to go about their daily lives without taking necessary precautions. Jean Abrams, an unhoused Sarasota native, sat under the shade at Newtown Estates Park, just two miles away from where the malaria cases occurred, completely oblivious to the outbreak. With no money for food, Abrams prioritizes his immediate survival needs over protection from mosquitoes.
Since the first case was reported during the week of May 21-27, a total of four cases have been confirmed in Sarasota County by the Florida Department of Health, with a possible fifth case currently under investigation. Health officials have advised residents across the state to apply bug spray, avoid areas with large mosquito populations, and wear long pants and shirts at night.
However, some residents in the Desoto Acres and Kensington Park area, where the cases occurred, remain unaware or unfazed by the malaria outbreak. Ken Hixon and Alton Ayers, who spend time outside in 17th Street Park, chose not to wear bug spray and expressed little concern about the outbreak. Hixon mentioned that there weren’t any mosquitoes out in the middle of the day, while Ayers, who lives across the street from Desoto Acres, believes the cases are a result of increased travel from other countries.
Rhoel Dinglasan, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, suspects that an asymptomatic carrier of malaria, who contracted the disease from another country, entered the Sarasota area and was bitten by a mosquito. This mosquito could have then infected another person in the area.
The lack of awareness and indifference towards the malaria outbreak in Sarasota County is concerning, especially for vulnerable individuals like Jean Abrams, who cannot afford protection from mosquitoes. It is crucial for residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of the disease.
How can awareness and concern be increased among residents in order to mitigate the impact of the malaria outbreak
Unawareness and Indifference Surrounding Malaria Outbreak in Sarasota County
Unawareness and indifference prevail as Sarasota County residents go about their daily lives, disregarding necessary precautions amidst a recent malaria outbreak. Situated just two miles away from where the cases occurred, Jean Abrams, an unhoused Sarasota native, remained oblivious to the outbreak while seeking shade in Newtown Estates Park. With no funds for food, Abrams prioritizes immediate survival needs over protection from mosquitoes.
Since the week of May 21-27, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed a total of four malaria cases in Sarasota County, with a possible fifth case currently under investigation. Health officials have urged residents across the state to apply bug spray, avoid mosquito-populated areas, and wear long pants and shirts during the night.
However, many residents in the Desoto Acres and Kensington Park area, where the outbreak occurred, remain unaware or unfazed. Ken Hixon and Alton Ayers, who spend time outdoors at 17th Street Park, opt not to use bug spray and express little concern about the outbreak. Hixon argues that mosquitoes are scarce in the middle of the day, while Ayers, living nearby Desoto Acres, believes the cases stem from increased travel from other countries.
Rhoel Dinglasan, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, suspects that an asymptomatic carrier of malaria, who contracted the disease from another country, entered the Sarasota area and was bitten by a mosquito. This infected mosquito could then go on to infect another person in the vicinity.
The lack of awareness and indifference towards the malaria outbreak in Sarasota County raises concerns, particularly for vulnerable individuals like Jean Abrams, who cannot afford mosquito protection. It is crucial for residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the disease.
