The Westside Gazette

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.

COVER your skin with clothing and use mosquito repellent.

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out.

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.

 

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