Press Release
SEPTEMBER 3rd, 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, continues
to confirm additional
positives for West Nile
Virus in the western region
of the county today.
“We continue surveillance of
our sentinel chickens
throughout the county,” said
Health Director Dr. Alina
Alonso. “These birds are
critical for monitoring
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.
<<
Back to Press
|
