mosquito-bourne disease

Prior to Ian’s landfall over a month ago, the county reported a mosquito count of about 13,000. Two weeks after the storm brought historic flood levels, the county reported 46,000 mosquitos.

County health officials say three cases have been found and there is a heightened concern that more residents will become ill.

Some of the reasons for the surge are expected — heavy rainfalls create lots of pools where mosquitoes can breed. But there are some surprising factors, like the Zika virus.