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Mosquito-Borne Illness Awareness
The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) has issued a mosquito-borne illness alert for Duval County. Human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) have been confirmed and there is a heightened concern that additional residents will become ill. The most recent cases involve 35 and 52 year-old males and 41 and 54 year-old females. Duval County has five confirmed cases of WNV in 2012.
Symptoms of West Nile virus may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and confusion. Physicians should contact their county health department if they suspect an individual may meet the case definition for a mosquito-borne illness. Florida Department of Health (DOH) laboratories provide testing services for physicians treating patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne disease.
To protect against mosquitoes, practice the ?5 D?s?:
Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites:
DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito borne illnesses, including <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:place w:st="on">West Nile</st1:place> virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, and dengue. <?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p>
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Residents of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place> are encouraged to report dead birds via the website http://www.MyFWC.com/bird.For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit
DOH?s Environmental Public Health website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html or call your DCHD at 904-253-1850.
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<o:p>http://www.dchd.net/component/conten...ness-awareness</o:p>
The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) has issued a mosquito-borne illness alert for Duval County. Human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) have been confirmed and there is a heightened concern that additional residents will become ill. The most recent cases involve 35 and 52 year-old males and 41 and 54 year-old females. Duval County has five confirmed cases of WNV in 2012.
Symptoms of West Nile virus may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and confusion. Physicians should contact their county health department if they suspect an individual may meet the case definition for a mosquito-borne illness. Florida Department of Health (DOH) laboratories provide testing services for physicians treating patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne disease.
To protect against mosquitoes, practice the ?5 D?s?:
- Dusk and Dawn- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most likely to bite
- Dress- Wear clothing that covers your skin
- 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, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are other repellent options
- Drainage- Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs
- Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children
- Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET are generally recommended. Mosquito repellents containing picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 can also be applied directly on skin. Permethrin can be used on clothing
- Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing
- Infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting should be used over carriers when mosquitoes are present
- Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child?s skin and clothing
Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites:
- Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters
- Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain
- 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
DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito borne illnesses, including <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:place w:st="on">West Nile</st1:place> virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, and dengue. <?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Residents of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place> are encouraged to report dead birds via the website http://www.MyFWC.com/bird.For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit
DOH?s Environmental Public Health website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html or call your DCHD at 904-253-1850.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>http://www.dchd.net/component/conten...ness-awareness</o:p>
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