KnightNews.com got the following health alert from the Orange County Health Department regarding mosquito-borne diseases. One has been fatal in Florida recently.
See the release below for some tips:
DEATH HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF GUARDING AGAINST MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES
ORLANDO – The Orange County Health Department (OCHD) again is emphasizing the importance of protection against mosquito-borne diseases after a Hillsborough County woman recently died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The Tampa area woman is the first death in Florida attributed to EEE since 2008.
Throughout the year, OCHD works with local agencies: including Orange County Mosquito Control, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and state universities to monitor for the presence of illnesses carried by mosquitoes including West Nile virus (WNV) infections, EEE, St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), Malaria and Dengue Fever. Central Florida has had an increase in birds and horses testing positive for EEE and WNV. While surveillance shows an increase in these animals, no EEE, WNV, or SLE cases in humans have been identified this year and no locally-acquired cases of Malaria or Dengue Fever have been identified in Central Florida.
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“It is important for people to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. There are simple measures to reduce the chances of contracting a mosquito-borne illness,” said Dr. Kevin M. Sherin, Director of the Orange County Health Department.
Orange County residents and visitors should remain diligent in protecting themselves from mosquito bites by following the “5 D’s,” which include:
Drainage – Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
DEET – When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or N,N-diethyl-3- methylbenzamide) are recommended. Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are other repellent options.
Dress – Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
· Dusk and Dawn – Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active.
Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites
· Clean out eaves, troughs, and gutters.
· Remove old tires or drill drainage holes in those used at playgrounds.
· Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
· Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
· Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
· Pump out bilges on boats.
· Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week.
· Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
· Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.
Symptoms of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Malaria, and Dengue Fever may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness, and confusion. Physicians should contact their county health department if they suspect an individual may have a mosquito-borne illness. Department of Health (DOH) laboratories provide testing services for physicians treating patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne diseases.
Monitoring wild bird deaths can help officials track the spread of some mosquito-borne diseases. Anyone who discovers a dead bird is encouraged to report it via the internet. The bird mortality reporting system is located on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website at: www.MyFWC.com/bird/. Citizens may also report dead birds to the Orange County Health Department by calling 407-521-2630 or the local Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission office.
For more information on mosquito-borne diseases, visit www.orchd.com or the DOH Environmental
Health website at www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html.
