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West Nile Death In Escambia County, More Cases Reported
September 17, 2012
One death in Escambia County has now been linked to the West Nile Virus, and three more cases have been confirmed — bringing the total number of human cases in the county to 10.
“We are saddened to learn of the death of an Escambia County resident who tested positive for WNV. Whether a person experiences a few symptoms or develops the more severe disease is highly dependent on the age and underlying health of the individual,” said Dr. John Lanza, director of the Escambia County Health Department.
The risk of additional people becoming infected with West Nile Virus from mosquito bites remains very high, the health department said Monday morning.
Mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus can bite and infect humans. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop serious illness. Symptoms of infection can range from mild to severe, including development of diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. People with weakened immune systems and individuals over 50 are at higher risk of the most severe form of the infection.
“One preventable risk factor is going outdoors, for even short periods of time, unprotected. Persons making short outdoor trips to put out the trash, get the mail, or use tobacco should take the same protective precautions as persons who spend longer periods of time outdoors,” Lanza said.
Comments
16 Responses to “West Nile Death In Escambia County, More Cases Reported”
Knowing the area where someone lives does not mean that is where the person was bit. I live in Molino but could have been in Ensley one evening shopping/visiting and gotten bit. So I completely understand why they are not saying, all it would accomplish is mass pandemonium along with hundreds of hypochondricas.
Listerine & lemon juice in a spray bottle,mist the yard every other day.It doesn’t take a lot,only spray the area your going to be in.But it doesn’t work as good when the grass is wet.
Spraying won’t help everything. Yeah, it does knock out a large amount of mosquito population, but there are always hundreds more. What would help, aside from complaining about the county not spraying (their under enough stress with WNV as it is, and they only have so many trucks that can spray), take the necessary precautions…
Don’t go out during the hours on and between dawn and dusk, wear repellent that has DEET in it. Walk around your yard and dump out containers that have standing water it in, including your bird bath/fountains/ect. If you have outside animals, empty their water containers once a week. If you’re going to be sitting outside with friends, light Citronella Oil candles or torches, but remember to stay within close range of them, or they won’t work effectively. The weather’s starting to get cooler, wear long sleeved shirts and jeans.
You can’t rely on the county to do everything. They’ll eventually get to your area. But first, you have to take action into your own hands. Kinda like a “help those who help themselves” kinda deal.
WHY IN THE HECK ARE THEY NOT SPRAYING ON A REGULAR BASES? I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM SPRAY IN MY AREA IN SEVERAL YEARS!!! AND WHY ARE THEY BEING SO HUSH HUSH ABOUT IT? WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT AREA OF TOWN THESE CASES ARE.
How do we know the difference from a “cold, flu” like symtoms and the West Nile,
mosquitoes bite me like there is no other source alive..no matter what time of day or night. We use to use seven’s dust in the yard and especially surround the house and it helped knock them down. With all the rain there are many “standing” water places so maybe the county can help with that and SPRAY!
Escambia County,FL. Mosquito Control # 937-2188
to Sasha: i live in the north end and i am not poverty..We have some of the prettiest homes and property around ..We just choose to live in the this area..Maybe some poverty but you have that everywhere.As well as mosquitos.But i do agree we need those trucks spraying,”like yesterday” ALREADY…I have children and i fear for their health/life ,.I had a cousin who got encephalitis frm a mosquito bite,when we were children.Thats back when it was very rare..He lived through it but it was touch n go for weeks.The Drs. didnt believe he would pull through.he was in coma for weeks..So yes people this is very real and very serious..Keep your self and your children protected as much as possible..even though its almost IMPOSSI BLE not to get a mosquito bite.Open the door to get in your house one flies in so quick..What are we to do..;( GOODNESS this is getting out of hand….
How do we get our county on the northern end get the trucks to spray in our area? If anyone can give me a number it would greatly be appreciated!!!!!
Everybody knows that the north end of this county is ignored and not claimed…..we are the poverty area, so we are not important enough to those “city folks”!! How many people agree with me?
You used to be able to request that they come spray in your neighborhood. I have called and every time they are spraying within the week. If your being swarmed every time you go out, call the county. Until then, try Yard Guard spray & repellant if you go out.
I know a mosquito truck was spraying in the area of Kingsfield and West Robert’s Road last Thursday; it started spraying as I was pumping gas at the Circle K.
The EPA has made it nearly impossible for my city to spray for mosquitos with their new rules and regulations.The only way is way too expensive..
I am really over all our money going to the beach areas when we live here year round and pay taxes. I have had the street sweeping truck on my road, but no spraying trucks. I live near Escambia River and nothing being done out this way. And the mosquitos have been terrible this year. I hope this matter is taken more seriously soon. The county needs to step up to the plate, be informative and more pro-active.
We should be concerned about these outbreaks because there are still cases being reported. I think the county SHOULD consider and begin spraying in those areas more prone to mosquitos (lake, stream, pond areas). It would be – if nothing else – a great gesture on the counties’ part to protect their citizens. The spray trucks will help during those sensitive hours. I remember years ago these trucks would pass through. Now it seems so clear there is a need to act on this. There remain more cases not reported as well, as my brother-in-law may also be a victim to the West Nile Virus and is being treated. I hope he will get better, not worse. Who wants to see anyone they care about friend or family member go through the treatment? This is Florida where people do get outside to enjoy the outdoors. We can use mosquito repellant, but I think the county should help defeat it at the source too.
Ditto Sara. We do not need to know who or an exact address just an area, like Ensley, Cantonment, Warrington, this still covers a large area but….. I live in the south end of the county…..no trucks in my neighborhood either.
If the cases are in the North end, why has it been so hush-hush about telling the public where the cases are located? Come on, we needed a heads up on this situation. And now, a person has died. Texas is chock full of this virus; just a matter of time. I haven’t seen one mosquito truck spraying. Maybe they are in city limits, but the rural areas should be sprayed as well. This, to me, is a dangerous situation & the county should be putting mosquito trucks out everywhere & clear warnings @ where & when the cases occur.