Florida Department of Health in Broward County issues mosquito-borne illness advisory

Florida Department of Health in Broward County issues mosquito-borne illness advisory

Drain and cover — Stop mosquitoes from living and multiplying around your home or business.

     Broward County, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) today issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory after confirming a locally acquired case of Chikungunya Fever, a disease spread by bites from infected mosquitoes. If a person is infected and bitten by a mosquito, that mosquito may later spread the infection by biting another person.

“Avoiding mosquito bites is the key to preventing infection with Chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases,” said Paula Thaqi, MD, MPH, and Director of the Florida Department of Health in Broward County. “We encourage every-one to take precautionary measures to help reduce the chance of being bitten. Remember to drain and cover.”

Recommended preventive methods should include:

DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

• Discard: Old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
• Empty and Clean: Birdbaths, bird feeders, and pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.
• Protect: Boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
• Maintain: The water balance (pool chemistry) of swimming pools. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER your skin with clothing and use mosquito repellent.

• Clothing: If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, cover up. Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long sleeves.
• Repellent: Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months.

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out.

• Keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

Symptoms of mosquito-borne illness may include: headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, light sensitivity and confusion. Symptoms may vary according to the age of the patient. Infants and young children may have a fever with rash. Older children and adults may have either a mild fever or a more severe case of the disease with sudden onset and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and rash.

People with serious health problems, infants and the elderly are most at risk. Persons experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.  Physicians should contact the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, if they suspect an individual meets the case definition for a mosquito-borne disease.

For more information and to view weekly reports containing information on mosquito-borne disease surveillance in Florida, visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/index.html.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook.  For more information about the Florida Department of Health, visit www.floridahealth.gov.