Featured Stories

By Beth Stibal |

PBC issues advisory for mosquito-borne disease activity

West Nile Virus mosquitoes
(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

The Palm Beach County Department of Health is issuing an advisory for mosquito-borne disease activity in western Boca Raton, Jupiter Farms, Belle Glade and Wellington.

Several chickens in DOH-PBC’s sentinel chicken flock have tested positive for flavivirus infections and the risk of transmission to humans has increased.
The department made it clear that this is a precautionary measure, and there is “no indication anyone has gotten sick from this at this time.”

DOH-Palm Beach reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.
Palm Beach County Health Department leaders say the type of flavivirus present in the chickens could be West Nile Virus or St. Louis Encephalitis. Both of those diseases can be fatal and include symptoms like fever and dizziness.

Some people in affected areas said they find this advisory alarming.

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember to “Drain and Cover”:

DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
Empty and clean birdbaths and pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.
Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
COVER skin with clothing or repellent.

Clothing – Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
Repellent – Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone and IR3535 are effective.
Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
Tips on Repellent Use

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
For more information on what repellent is right for you, consider using the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help you choose skin-applied repellent products:

http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/#searchform.

The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site – http://legacy.myfwc.com/bird/default.asp. For more information, visit DOH’s website at www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/index.html or contact your county health department.