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For Release Friday,
13th December, 2002 |
CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR |
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PHONE:561-355-3576
FAX:561- 355-3038
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PALM BEACH
COUNTY, FL-Palm Beach County remains under a medical alert for the West Nile Virus along with 38 other counties throughout the state. Surveillance of the sentinel chicken population confirmed three positives, from Loxahatchee, Boca Raton and western North Palm Beach today.
Palm Beach County Health Department Director, Dr. Jean Malecki said, "We want people to know that West Nile Virus is still present in this and other counties throughout the state. People should continue to protect against mosquito bites.
Malecki further emphasized the precautions people can take:
- Avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active.
- If you must be outdoors when mosquitoes are active, cover up by wearing shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirt.
- Use mosquito repellant containing DEET according to the manufacturer's label directions.
- Eliminate stagnant water in birdbaths, ponds and other receptacles in which mosquitoes might breed.
- Be sure doors and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
Mosquito Control continues to monitor the mosquito populations throughout the county. The most recent report has the population numbers and complaint calls as average for this time of year. Weather conditions are not favorable for an increase in these numbers. Citizens can report problem areas of mosquitoes to mosquito control at 561-967-6480.
In Florida, 39 counties are on Medical Alert for West Nile Virus and there have been 26 confirmed human cases, two of which are from Palm Beach County. The signs and symptoms for West Nile Virus may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and confusion. Persons experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.
Those seeking medical advice on West Nile Virus can call the Palm Beach County Health Department at 561-840-4564 or the State of Florida Epidemiology Department at 1-888-880-5782.
The sentinel chicken flocks, located throughout the county, have had 42 confirmed positives. There have also been seven wild birds found with the virus.
To report dead wild birds contact the West Nile Hotline at 1-800-871-9703.
more on West Nile
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