(PALM BEACH COUNTY, Florida)– A health advisory has been issued by the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County (DOH-Palm Beach) after a notable increase in mosquito-borne illness in several parts of Palm Beach County.

The DOH-Palm Beach issued the health advisory after several sentinel chickens tested positive for Flavivirus infections.

Sentinel chickens are specially designated animals that allow health officials to track the emergence of infectious diseases like West Nile virus, dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus, all found in Flavivirus infections.

Health officials say the risk of transmission to humans has increased, and the Palm Beach County Mosquito Control Division and DOH-Palm Beach continue efforts to prevent widespread illness and ask residents and visitors to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

The DOH-Palm Beach said the affected areas include Pahokee, Belle Glade, west Delray Beach, and west Boca Raton.

To learn more about how to prevent exposure to mosquitos, click here.