You can hear their drone at night, and with all the rain the New Tampa area has received recently, they’re only going to get worse. What many consider the state bird, the mosquito is stirring up trouble in Hillsborough County and officials are warning residents to be wary of the pesky insects.
According to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Hillsborough County, a mosquito-borne disease advisory was issued on July 28, due to an increase in West Nile virus activity detected in chicken flocks across the county. The last confirmed human case of Wes Nile was reported in 2012. The advisory is to let the community know to take proper precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
“West Nile virus is just one of several mosquito-borne diseases seen in Florida that pose a risk to the public,” said Hillsborough FDOH director Douglas Holt, MD, in a press release.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), West Nile virus is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes and can cause febrile illness, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). The virus first was detected in North America in 1999, and has since been reported across the U.S. and Canada.
Symptoms of West Nile may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and confusion. Physicians should contact their county health department if they suspect an individual may be ill with a mosquito-borne illness.
On average, it takes between 2 – 15 days for a person to develop symptoms of West Nile virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The virus can’t be transmitted from human to human.
The DOH says that there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus. Most infections are mild and typically pass with little to no medical treatment within a matter of weeks. Rarely, individuals can have a severe case, resulting in hospitalization. However, there is no human vaccine currently available for West Nile.
To combat the disease, the public is advised to “drain and cover.” To stop mosquitoes from living and multiplying around your home or business, drain standing water from containers and cover them.
It’s also a good idea to get rid of old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used and could hold standing water. Birdbaths and outdoor water bowls for pets should be drained and cleaned at least once or twice per week. Boats and vehicles should be covered with tarps to protect them from holding rainwater.
The DOH also says to maintain the water balance (pool chemistry) of swimming pools and to empty plastic swimming pools when they’re not in use.
And, of course, cover your skin with clothing and use mosquito repellent. If you have to be outside when mosquitoes are active, cover up. Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. Be sure to use mosquito repellent on exposed bare skin and clothing. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than two months old. To help keep mosquitoes out of your house, repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
More info, please visit FloridasHealth.com.
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