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On Wednesday, the Florida Department of Health confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in Charlotte County.
The case is the eighth report on the West Nile virus in 2018.
As a result, the ministry has issued a mosquito-transmitted disease advisory as a precaution for residents and visitors.
The department has also provided the following tips and reminders for your safety and for mosquito prevention:
– Make sure to drain any stagnant water if possible. Stagnant water can accumulate in garbage cans, gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other container exposed to the weather.
– Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots, broken appliances and other objects around your home.
– If you have a bird bath or a pet water bowl, be sure to empty them, clean them and refill them at least once or twice a week.
– Protect all boats and vehicles by using tarpaulins that do not collect stagnant water.
– Be sure to maintain pools and empty small plastic basins when not in use.
– If you work in an area where mosquitoes are common or overcrowded, wear closed shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeved shirts.
– Use a repellent according to the instructions on the label and apply regularly on bare skin and on clothing. The most effective repellents are those containing DEET, picaridine, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol and IR3535.
– Use mosquito nets to protect children under two months old.
– Always cover doors and windows with damaged screens and repair screens.
For more information on repellents, please check the Environmental Protection Agency's search tool for products here.
During a West Nile virus outbreak in 2010, Lee, Collier and DeSoto have all confirmed cases of West Nile virus, but Charlotte County has not been affected.
Hendry and Glades counties remain on the list, among those who have never reported a single case of West Nile virus.
© Copyright 2018 WBBH / WZVN (Waterman Broadcast). All rights reserved.
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