Because of its tropical environment and weather, Florida should be a bastion for mosquito-borne infections. It's not, though, because mosquito control is a priority throughout the state. But the warm weather in Florida can result in the warming of freshwater sources such as lakes and ponds, which makes those bodies of water conducive to infections you can acquire from recreational activities.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Florida ranks above the national average in cases of gonorrhea with 127.1 cases per 100,000 population, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics. It also has a higher than average amount of cases of syphilis per capita. It is near the national average for cases of chlamydia. Much of the sexually transmitted infections are consolidated in the metropolitan areas. Florida is ranked third in cumulative AIDS cases with more than 100,000 cases from the beginning of the epidemic through 2007.
Tuberculosis
If a state has a lot of cases of AIDS, it usually goes hand-in-hand with the number of tuberculosis cases. Because of immigration from Caribbean islands where TB is endemic, Florida has a significant number of TB cases.
Vector-borne Diseases
Since the days of early European explorers, mosquitoes have played a prominent role in the state's history, both as pests and vectors of disease. The tropical climate with the rain, heat and humidity, plus a plethora of still, freshwater, makes Florida prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. The mosquitoes can carry such serious viral diseases like eastern equine encephalitis, west Nile virus and other arboviruses.
Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis
The free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, is found in bodies of freshwater. In states such as Florida where the freshwater is warm or where there are hot springs, the amoeba thrive. The disease is occurs when water that contains the amoeba rushes up the nose. It then travels to the brain, where it causes a life-threatening disease. Though rare, Florida and other Southern states do have most of the infections and deaths from this disease. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis infection is associated with recreational water activities such as swimming, diving and water-skiing.
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