Press Release
AUGUST 27th, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
NEWS
MEDIA ONLY: TIM O’CONNOR
561-671-4013 or
press50@doh.state.fl.us |
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL—The
Palm Beach County Health
Department continues to
monitor for mosquito borne
illnesses. Our early
detection system for
mosquito borne diseases, the
sentinel chickens, confirmed
two additional positives for
West Nile Virus in the
western region of the county
today. This is in addition
to the three positive
readings two weeks ago.
“We continue to regularly
check the chickens we have
placed throughout the
county,” said Health
Director Dr. Alina Alonso.
“These birds are an
excellent way to discover
and monitor mosquito borne
diseases in our area.”
Dr. Alonso advises residents
and visitors to be watchful
for possible exposure
through mosquito bites and
take preventive measures.
-
Avoid mosquito bites! Wear
protective clothing such
as long pants and long
sleeve shirts when
outdoors and use insect
repellents properly.
-
Check your door and window
screens and repair any
holes or tears.
-
Get rid of mosquitoes
around your home:
eliminate all standing
water (even the smallest
of containers that can
collect water could become
a breeding ground for
hundreds to thousands of
mosquitoes). Keep pools
clean and chlorinated.
The Florida Department of
Health is also recommending
people take precautions to
avoid mosquito bites when
traveling outside of the
United States. Another
mosquito borne disease,
Dengue Fever has had
Floridians on watch since
being discovered recently in
the Keys and also Broward
County.
Mosquito control is
continuing its efforts to
reduce the mosquito
population through
spraying.
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