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Dengue, Chikungunya Fevers Confirmed In Escambia County
August 1, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) has confirmed that a county resident contracted both chikungunya fever and dengue fever. The resident was most likely exposed to both viruses while recently traveling in the Caribbean islands.
These diseases are spread by bites from infected mosquitoes. If a person is infected and bitten by a mosquito, that mosquito may later spread the infection by biting another person.
“Avoiding mosquito bites is the key to preventing infection with chikungunya fever, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases,” said DOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John Lanza. “We encourage everyone to take precautionary measures to help reduce the chance of being bitten. Remember to drain and cover.”
Symptoms of chikungunya include sudden onset of high fever (>102⁰F), severe joint pain mainly in the arms and legs, headache, muscle pain, back pain and rash. Symptoms appear on average three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The principal symptoms of dengue begin four to seven days after a mosquito bite and include high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, easy bruising, and mild bleeding (e.g., nose or gums bleed). Generally, younger children and those with their first dengue infection have a milder illness than older children and adults.
Most people experiencing symptoms of chikungunya or dengue infection feel better after a few days or weeks, however, some people may develop long-term effects. Complications are more common in infants younger than a year old, those older than 65, and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
If you experience symptoms of chikungunya or dengue, consult with your health care provider immediately and protect yourself against further mosquito bites. Avoiding mosquito bites while you are sick will help protect others from getting infected.
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5 Responses to “Dengue, Chikungunya Fevers Confirmed In Escambia County”
“If a person is infected and bitten by a mosquito, that mosquito may later spread the infection by biting another person.”
Does it have to be the same species of mosquito as found in the Caribbean, or can it be the type of mosquitoes we get up here? Makes a big difference as far as likelihood of transmission goes.
>>>The mosquito on the map in the picture seems to be right on top of the Gonzalez area. Does that mean the person infected lives in the Gonzalez area?
No, not at all. The health department *never* releases the location in the county where victim of something lives. We did the graphic years ago to accompany a West Nile story…tossed a map of Escambia County over a stock graphic of mosquitoes. =
The mosquito on the map in the picture seems to be right on top of the Gonzalez area. Does that mean the person infected lives in the Gonzalez area?
At one time America was on track of eradicating bugs and pest that made life miserable. Then along comes the EPA that took it all away. Then comes all the Government agencies such as Escambia’s Mosquito control that was to take care and protect us. Now as Government controls more and more of our lives we are just setting ducks. It seems that we just pay high taxes that go to High paying jobs and positions only to hear that there are no monies to purchase equipment and supplies to protect the people. Come on Mosquito Control get off your stool of do nothing and start at the Alabama State lines on two side of Escambia and saturate the swamps, woods and all areas where Mosquitos live with your trucks and by air if necessary and don’t stop until every mosquito, Yellow Fly, Horse Fly and any other kind of infectious critter is gone. This should go on Nation wide by every state in the union. Just saying
Good Grief….between the:
Brown Recluse spiders
Vibrio Vulnificus – aka Flesh-Eating bacteria in the water
Dengue Fever
Chikungunya fever
Sharks and Lion fish
Rip tides
Boa constrictors
Road traffic
and assorted other dangerous critters including the two-legged thugs
it can make one wonder if the sky is really falling.
Me, I’m keeping a can of Raid and a rolled up newspaper handy.