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New West Nile Case In Florida Panhandle

By Escambia County Health Department

Published: Tue, September 16, 2008 - 1:54 pm Last Updated: Tue, September 16, 2008 - 1:58 pm

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/18058/

PENSACOLA – Escambia County Health Department Director Dr. John Lanza today issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory for Escambia County after the county’s second adult human case of West Nile virus (WNV) was confirmed. This is the county’s second case since 2006.

Symptoms of West Nile virus disease 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. Department of Health (DOH) laboratories provide testing services for physicians treating patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne disease.

The health department reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that may cause encephalitis disease. Escambia County Mosquito Control and the health department continue surveillance and prevention efforts and encourage everyone to take basic precautions to help limit exposure by following the department of health recommendations.

Your personal mosquito protection efforts should include the “5 D’s” for prevention:
- Dusk and Dawn: Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood. For many species, this is during the dusk and dawn hours.
- Dress: Wear clothing that covers most of 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.
- Screens: Cover open windows and doors with screens. Check screens regularly for tears and openings that need to be repaired.

Homeowners can help prevent mosquito-borne disease by clearing potential breeding sites in and around their home:
- 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 all plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week. Don’t forget indoor plants.
- Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.

DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds via the web site myfwc.com/bird/. For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit DOH’s Environmental Health web site, call the West Nile Virus Hotline at 1-888-880-5782, or call the Escambia County Health Department Division of Environmental Health at 850-595-6700.