MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS ALERT FOR LEON COUNTY

News Release
		Leon County Health Department Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (850) 606-8150 __________________________  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/14/2011

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MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS ALERT

The Leon County Health Department reminds residents and visitors to protect themselves against mosquito bites. West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in sentinel chickens in Leon County  over the last two weeks. The chickens are the first warning signs for WNV and other mosquito-borne viruses in the community.  

"Although we have had no human cases yet in our area, there have been cases in other Florida counties.  People should take precautions against bites. With football season and the nice weather, people are out in the evening when mosquitoes are likely to be biting," said Homer J. Rice, RS, MPH, PhD, administrator of the Leon County Health Department.   

The Leon County Health Department advises the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts. These should include remembering to "Drain and Cover." 

DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

- Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where water has collected.

- Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren`t being used.

- Empty and clean birdbaths 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 swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER skin with:

- 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’s instructions. Repellents with 10-30% DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.

- Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old. 

COVER doors and windows with screens:

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

According to the CDC, about one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. People should call their health care providers if they think they might have contracted WNV.

For more information about mosquito-borne illnesses:

• Call the Leon County Health Department at 850-606-8350.
• Read the weekly Florida Arbovirus Surveillance Report, which publishes the number of infections, at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/arboviral/Weekly-Summary.html.  
• Visit DOH`s Bureau of Environmental Public Health Medicine`s Web site at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/Prevention.html.

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