HEALTH OFFICIALS IDENTIFY HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS

HEALTH OFFICIALS IDENTIFY HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS

Information media contact:
Wendi Jackson
Public Data Specialist

Daytona Seaside, Fla.— The Florida Division of Well being in Volusia County (DOH-Volusia) at present suggested residents of a rise in mosquito-borne illness exercise in Volusia County. A human case of West Nile virus has been confirmed and there’s a heightened concern extra residents could develop into sick.

Most individuals don’t develop any signs, however one in 5 folks can expertise headache, physique ache, joint ache, diarrhea or rash. Extreme sickness can happen in folks of any age, nevertheless folks over 60 years of age are at larger danger. Signs of extreme sickness embody excessive fever, neck stiffness, tremors, muscle weak point and imaginative and prescient loss.

Whereas the height interval of transmission in Florida is July by way of September, mosquito-borne ailments might be transmitted all through the autumn. West Nile virus is transmitted to wild birds by Culex mosquitoes. Often, an contaminated mosquito will chew a human or animal (significantly horses) and trigger illness. Culex mosquitoes are recognized to chew from nightfall to daybreak.

Volusia County Mosquito Management and DOH-Volusia proceed surveillance and prevention efforts. Residents and guests ought to keep away from being bitten by mosquitoes by taking fundamental precautions to assist to restrict publicity, together with:

• Drain standing water to cease mosquitoes from multiplying.
• Cowl pores and skin with clothes or insect repellent (ideally with DEET).
• Cowl doorways and home windows with screens to maintain mosquitoes out of your home. (See Media Launch from Aug. 12.)

DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne sicknesses, together with West Nile virus, Jap Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, Malaria and Dengue. For extra info on mosquito-borne sicknesses, go to the Florida Division of Well being on-line or name the Florida Division of Well being in Volusia County, (386) 274-0694.

Concerning the Florida Division of Well being

The division works to guard, promote and enhance the well being of all folks in Florida by way of built-in state, county and neighborhood efforts.

Observe us on Twitter at @HealthyVolusia and on Fb. For extra details about the Florida Division of Well being please go to www.FloridaHealth.gov.