Press Release
SEPTEMBER 10th, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR
PHONE:561-355-3576
FAX:561- 355-3038
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PALM
BEACH COUNTY, FL – Due to
floodwaters and drainage
problems from Hurricane
Frances, Palm Beach County
Health Department officials
emphasize the importance of
all residents and visitors
protecting themselves
against mosquito-borne
diseases.
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 skin.
- DEET—When the
potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellants containing DEET
(N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are
recommended. Products with concentrations of 30% DEET are generally
recommended for most situations. It is not recommended to use DEET on
children less than two months old. Instead, infants should be kept indoors
or mosquito netting used over carriers when mosquitoes are present. If
additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellant directly to
your clothing. Always read the manufacturer’s directions carefully before
you put on a repellant.
- Drainage—Check your home to rid it of
standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
- Screens—Make
sure doors and windows remain closed and 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 the 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.
Statewide surveillance for mosquito borne illnesses
continues. As of September
4, there have been 26
reported human cases of West
Nile Virus including 16 in
Miami-Dade County and two in
Broward County. Palm Beach
County has had a number of
reported cases in its
sentinel chickens but no
reported human cases to
date. For more information
on mosquito-borne illnesses,
visit DOH’s Environmental
Health Web site at
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/hsee/arbo/index.htm,
call the West Nile Virus
Hotline at 1-888-880-5782 or
the Health Department at
561-840-4500.
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