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Duval
County Mosquito-Borne
Illness Awareness
The
Duval County Health Department (DCHD) would like residents to be aware
of an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity throughout areas of
Duval County. In coordination with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH)
and the City of Jacksonville (COJ), DCHD uses chicken flocks located at
various sites within the county to monitor for mosquito-borne illnesses
known as arboviruses. Recently, several of these sentinel chickens have
tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)
virus, which can cause a rare but
sometimes severe illness in humans transmitted by the bite of an
infected mosquito. This year, FDOH has also reported four human EEE
infections in other parts of the state. Mosquitoes carrying diseases
are also active in many areas of the US, the Caribbean, Central and
South America and other parts of the world and travelers should also
take mosquito bite prevention precautions.
Duval
County Health Department would like to remind residents and visitors of
ways to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that may cause disease. The COJ
Mosquito Control Division and the DCHD will continue surveillance and
prevention efforts and encourage everyone to take basic precautions to
help limit exposure to mosquitoes.
To protect against mosquitoes, practice the “5 D’s”:
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Dusk and Dawn- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.
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Dress- Wear clothing that covers your skin.
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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.
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Drainage- Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
Tips on Repellent Use:
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Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.
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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.
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Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
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Infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting should be used over carriers when mosquitoes are present.
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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:
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Clean out eaves, troughs, and gutters.
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Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain.
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Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
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Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
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Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
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Pump out bilges on boats.
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Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week.
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Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
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Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.
Symptoms of mosquito-borne illnesses such as EEE, West Nile virus (WNV), or St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) 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. Florida Department of Health laboratories provide testing services for physicians treating patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne illness.
Florida Department of Health continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including WNV infections, EEE, SLE, malaria, and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds via the website http://myfwc.com/bird/.
For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit FDOH’s Environmental Health website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html or call your local county health department.
To request COJ Mosquito Control to inspect or spray your property or neighborhood contact 630-CITY (2489) and an operator will assist you. For information on preventing EEE and WNV in horses please contact your local veterinarian and visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer webpage at: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/main/ai_site_map.shtml
Duval County Health Department
900 University Blvd. N.
Jacksonville, FL 32211
253-1000
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