November 24, 2015                        

Mosquito-Borne Illness

Alert Lifted

Contact:
Patti Roberts
Patricia.roberts@flhealth.gov

850-892-8040 Ext. 1116

WALTON COUNTY-The Department of Health in Walton County is lifting the public health alert for mosquito-borne disease. The alert has been in place since July when a number of sentinel chickens and two humans were reported to have been infected with West Nile virus.

The cooler weather means there is very little mosquito activity in the area. This is an appropriate time to lift the health alert. However, in Florida there is a risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission year round.

To protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases, remember “Drain and Cover”:

DRAINstanding water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying

• Drain water from garbage cans, house      gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other      containers where sprinkler or rain 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.

COVERskin with clothing or repellent

• CLOTHING - Wear shoes, socks, and long pants      and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who      must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
• REPELLENT - Apply mosquito repellent to bare      skin and clothing.
  • Always       use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin,       oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.
  • Use       mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

COVERdoors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house

• Repair      broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

The Department of Health (DOH) continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, and dengue.

For more information on mosquito-borne disease, visit DOH’s website at

https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-bornediseases/index.html, or call the Department of Health in Walton County..

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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