Press Release
SEPTEMBER 29th, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR
PHONE:561-355-3576
722-6017 |
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PALM
BEACH COUNTY, FL—The
mosquito population is
expected to continue
increasing following
hurricane Jeanne. Mosquito
control has already sprayed
215,000 acres and will be
spraying again this weekend.
Palm Beach County Health
Department continues to
remind people to be
protective against mosquito
bites to help prevent
contracting mosquito-borne
diseases.
Field tests have shown a
marked increase in the culex
and anopholes mosquitoes,
which are generally the
species that carry West Nile
Virus, malaria and St. Louis
Enchephalitis.
The health department
continues to advise the
public to remain diligent in
their personal mosquito
protection efforts. These
should include the “5 D’s
and 1 S” for prevention:
- Dusk and Dawn -- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood.
For many species, this is during the dusk and dawn hours.
- Dress -- Wear clothing that covers all your skin.
- DEET -- When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes,
repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or
N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are recommended. Products with concentrations
up to 30 percent DEET are generally recommended. It is not recommended to
use DEET on children younger than 2 months old. Infants should be kept
indoors or mosquito netting should be used over carriers when mosquitoes are
present. If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellent
directly to your clothing. Always read the manufacturer's directions
carefully before you put on a repellent.
- Drainage -- Check your home to rid it of standing water, which is
where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
- Screens -- Make sure that windows remain closed or are sealed
completely by screens at night.
Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites
Elimination of breeding sites is one of the keys to prevention.
- Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters.
- Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain.
- Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
- Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
- Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
- Pump out bilges on boats.
- Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at
least once a week.
- Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a
week.
- Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the
flow of water.
Symptoms of West Nile virus
may include headache, fever,
fatigue, dizziness, weakness
and confusion. Physicians
should contact their county
health department if they
suspect an individual may
have a mosquito-borne
illness. DOH laboratories
provide testing services for
physicians treating patients
with clinical signs of
mosquito-borne disease.
For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit DOH’s
Environmental Health Web
site at
www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/hsee/arbo/index.htm,
call the West Nile Virus
Hotline at 1-888-880-5782,
the Palm Beach County Health
Department at 561-514-5373
or the mosquito control
hotline at 561-642-8775.
Florida Emergency Information Line: 1-800-342-3557.
Public Information Emergency Support Function: (850)
921-0384.
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