Human Case Of West Nile Confirmed In Escambia County, Advisory Issued

August 16, 2012

A human case of the West Nile virus has been reported in Escambia County, prompting health officials to issue a “Mosquito Borne Illness Advisory”.

The reported case means “there is an imminent risk of additional persons becoming infected,” according to the Escambia County Health Department. The health department has not said where in the county the infected person resides.

“Citizens need to treat this threat seriously and take personal precautions to protect themselves,” said Escambia Mosquito Control Division Manager Bob Betts.

Symptoms of infection can range from mild to severe, including development of diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. Those most at risk for the infection are the elderly, young children and those who spend a lot of time outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Individuals who are immune compromised may be at higher risk of the most severe form of the infection.

The Escambia County Health Department recommends that residents follow the Five D’s of mosquito control:

  1. Dusk – avoid when mosquitoes are most active.
  2. Dawn – avoid the next most active period.
  3. DEET – use personal chemical protection to ward off mosquitoes.
  4. Dress – cover exposed skin to block mosquito access.
  5. Drain – remove standing water in pots, pet dishes, gutters and other retainers.

The health department also recommends these precautions:

  • Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
  • In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age-appropriate.
  • According to the CDC, mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of three years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than two months old.
  • 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.

Comments

13 Responses to “Human Case Of West Nile Confirmed In Escambia County, Advisory Issued”

  1. lizzy on August 17th, 2012 2:44 pm

    i agree that it would be most helpful if we knew the area of escambia county that the person infected lived. those in the vacinity should be extra cautious…. just the opinion of one who lives in escambia county

  2. smokey on August 16th, 2012 10:57 pm

    I know our county has a spraying truck. Heard about it going to cantonment to spray and I have seen it in past years here in molino, but not this year. I wander why they’re not spraying out here? We got alot of wooded area and alot of mosquitos. I saw the truck out here ,but he was just parked on the side of the road for a few hours. I guess the driver was just “working” like alot of the county workers do.

  3. Jacob on August 16th, 2012 5:35 pm

    Due to malaria carrying parasites transferred by the mosquito, it is responsible for the deaths of more than two million people per year. In addition, Mosquitos are estimated to transfer diseases to more than 70 million people per year. Even in countries such as the UK, New Zealand, and Japan, where the more temperate climate has reduced mosquito bites to mostly an annoyance, they still cause some deaths every year,the mosquito has killed more people than all fish and mammals combined.

  4. Hobbs on August 16th, 2012 1:51 pm

    What’s the most dangerous creature on earth? Without question the answer is: the mosquito. Mosquitoes and the diseases they spread have been responsible for killing more people than all the wars in history. Even today, mosquitoes transmitting malaria kill 2 million to 3 million people and infect another 200 million or more every year. Tens of millions more are killed and debilitated by a host of other mosquito-borne diseases, including filariasis, yellow fever, dengue and encephalitis. Of course we don’t have to worry about malaria in our part of the world, but mosquitoes are known to carry a pile of different viruses. I know people are concerned about where this individual lived, but honestly, it doesn’t really matter. Protect yourself when outdoors. Also, please, please don’t buy a blue bug light. All your doing is attracting the mosquito closer to your home, plus your killing other useful insects that actually eat mosquitoes.

  5. Grandmaof7 on August 16th, 2012 10:46 am

    Lucky wife, I survived West Nile in 2003, and like your husband I still have problems from the encephalitis. Survivors are immune to West Nile, but I hope everyone will take precautions to keep from ever becoming infected. It’s serious business.

  6. bewildered on August 16th, 2012 8:21 am

    The pharmaceutical industry developed pills for dogs to keep fleas, ticks and mosquitos off the animals. They work, I cannot think of a single dog that came down with or died of heartworm while on medication. How come they cannot do the same for people? Agreed, there are more than enough expensive sprays, foggers, zappers, etc. on the market, but none really does an effective job.

  7. William on August 16th, 2012 7:40 am

    >>And I believe the person was in Escambia “Alabama” from what I read on google, but can’t be definite.

    No…this story is about Escambia County, Florida. Since NorthEscambia.com’s primary coverage area is in Florida, if it only says”Escambia County”, it’s Florida. When we talk about the neighboring county to the north, it will say “Escambia County, Ala.”.

  8. mary on August 16th, 2012 7:24 am

    They need to let the public when they plan on spraying in the area. A lot of times we can catch the trucks & they will drive through our driveway, which is good because of the woods & I dont know whats out there(swampy water).

  9. Jane on August 16th, 2012 7:12 am

    Stay inside all the time until winter! LOL! But even when covered with clothes, you have to spray your clothes and hands/face with whatever is safe for your face, and remember to wash your hands after you come inside before you touch anything! This is a dangerous situation!

  10. Jennifer on August 16th, 2012 6:27 am

    I agree Lucky Mom! It would be helpful.

  11. ellenb on August 16th, 2012 6:22 am

    @Lucky Wife, I agree, we should know where this happened. I’m happy your hubby is still with you. Prayers going out for him as well as this new person.

  12. goodness on August 16th, 2012 5:34 am

    This scares me so bad! Especially since all of the rain lately leaving standing water in so many places!

    And I believe the person was in Escambia “Alabama” from what I read on google, but can’t be definite.

  13. Lucky Wife on August 16th, 2012 1:17 am

    My husband almost died from the encephalitis that he contracted due to West Nile Virus…..that was almost 10 years ago now and he still has issues stemming from it to this day!!! PLEASE PROTECT YOURSELVES & YOUR CHILDREN! It’s nothing to play with!!
    ***I do think it would be helpful if the health department would let us know the vicinity of the infected person! Just saying!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News