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For Release Tuesday,
24th September, 2002 |
CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR |
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PHONE:561-355-3576
FAX:561- 355-3038
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Palm Beach County has now been included in The Florida Department of Health's "Medical Alert" for West Nile Virus.
The important message to all persons is to continue to take precautionary measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Parents/Guardians are urged to take the following measures to protect their children and themselves against mosquito bites:
- Avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are active, especially at dusk and dawn;
- If you must be outdoors when mosquitoes are active, cover up by wearing shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
Additional protection can be obtained by applying permethrin repellent directly to clothing only;
- Use mosquito repellent containing DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) according to the manufacturer's label directions; and
- 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.
Palm Beach County Mosquito Control continues to provide aerial and truck spraying throughout the area.
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.
For more information on West Nile virus, visit the Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology's Web site at
www.doh.state.fl.us (click on Epidemiology, then Health Topics). Call the Bureau's hotline at 1-888-880-5782. Locally medical questions can be answered by calling the Palm Beach County Health Department at 561 840-4564.
Thank you for your cooperation in addressing this health and safety issue.
Arthur C. Johnson, Ph.D., Superintendent
The School District of Palm Beach County
Jean M. Malecki, M.D., MPH, Director
Palm Beach County Health Department
more on West Nile
West
Nile > Sentinel Updates > Reporting
Dead Birds
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