Mosquito Borne Illness Alert: Second West Nile Case Confirmed In Escambia County

August 18, 2015

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) has issued a mosquito-borne illness alert for Escambia County.

The alert comes after a second case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Escambia County was confirmed in an adult male. This makes the sixth human case in Florida in 2015.

“Residents and visitors should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to limit exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses,” says FDOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John J. Lanza. The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division and FDOH-Escambia continue surveillance and prevention efforts. There is heightened concern that other Escambia County residents and visitors may become ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito.

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, the health department recommends that practice of  “Drain and Cover”:

Drain standing water.

  • 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, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items not being used.
  • Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week.
  • Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
  • Maintain swimming pools in good condition and chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows.

  • Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
  • 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.
  • Re-apply mosquito repellent as often as needed to prevent mosquito landings and bites.
  • Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
  • When using repellent on children, apply to your hands first and then rub on their arms and legs.
  • Place screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Always repair broken screens.

Comments

3 Responses to “Mosquito Borne Illness Alert: Second West Nile Case Confirmed In Escambia County”

  1. Patsy Green on August 19th, 2015 5:17 am

    West Nile Virus is transmitted through birds and mosquitos. Both fly. If the reported case was in Century, people in Cantonment should not be saying, “That was in Century; we are in no danger.” Also, people move around. Just because a person lives in Cantonment does not mean the mosquito bite didn’t happen in Century. Don’t panic; be aware and take precautions. Most people have mild cases. Most people with severe cases recover.
    (I pulled place names out of the air. I have no knowledge of the current cases.)

  2. Greg on August 19th, 2015 4:39 am

    Frank-

    No, they will not release that information. It’s impossible to determine where the infected mosquito came from. It can take as long as two weeks for the symptoms to show. This person could have been bit in another part of the county, a different count, or a different state.

  3. Frank on August 18th, 2015 7:39 pm

    Dose the Heath dept., ever give an area contact was infected as Beulah, Century or Pine Forest areas for example… Or does someone know the area?

    I know people can panic at the drop of a hat, but think it would also be prudent to warn the direct community…

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News