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By: WCTV Eyewitness News
November 2, 2018
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The Florida Department of Health, in Leon County, said a human case of West Nile virus had been confirmed and that new residents were at risk of falling ill.
Health officials say that there has been an increase in the activity of mosquito-borne diseases in areas of Leon County. Last month, officials issued an alert for several sentinel chicken herds tested positive for West Nile virus.
Health officials said the risk of transmission to humans had increased and control of mosquitoes in Leon County and the Ministry of Health and Leon continued their surveillance and prevention efforts.
The department has also published several precautions to be taken by residents to avoid mosquito bites and to prevent insects from reproducing:
EMPTY stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes from multiplying.
• Drain water from garbage cans, gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other container that contains rainwater or water.
• Get rid of old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, defective appliances and unused items.
• Empty and clean bird baths and pet bowls at least once or twice a week.
• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarpaulins that do not accumulate water.
• Keep pools in good condition and properly chlorinated. Empty plastic pools when you are not using them.
COVER skin with clothing or insect repellent.
• Clothing – Wear shoes, socks, pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who have to work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
• Repellent – Apply insect repellent to skin and naked clothing.
• Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol and IR3535 are effective.
• Use mosquito nets to protect children under 2 months of age.
• Additional tips on using repellent appear below.
COVER doors and windows with mosquito nets to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches and patios.
Tips on repulsive use
• Always read the label instructions carefully for approved use before applying insect repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.
• Products containing concentrations up to 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are generally recommended. Other insect repellents approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency contain picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol or IR3535. These products are usually available at local pharmacies. Look for the active ingredients to be on the product label.
• Apply an insect repellent to exposed skin or clothing, but not under clothing.
• When protecting children, read the instructions on the label to make sure the repellent is suitable for age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anti-mosquito products containing lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used in children under 3 years of age. DEET is not recommended for children under 2 months of age.
• Avoid applying repellents on children's hands. Adults should first apply the repellent on their own hands and then transfer it to the child's skin and clothing.
• If additional protection is needed, apply permethrin insect repellent directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
For more information on repellents that work for you, use the Environmental Protection Agency's search tool to help you choose repellents applied to your skin:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/#searchform.
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