NEWS

Florida health officials urge precautions against Zika virus

Tallahassee Democrat

With three travel related cases of the Zika virus confirmed in the state,  the Florida Department of Health is encouraging residents and visitors to take precautions against mosquitoes.

A researcher collects larvae of Aedes aegypti mosquitos in a petri dish at a lab of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Sao Paulo University, on January 8, 2016 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Researchers at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar, Senegal are in Brazil to train local researchers to combat the Zika virus epidemic.

Of the cases, two are Miami-Dade County residents who traveled to Colombia in December; the third case is a Hillsborough County resident who traveled to Venezuela in December, according to Brad Dalton, a spokesman for the FDOH.

"We encourage Florida residents and visitors to protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by draining standing water; covering their skin with repellent and clothing; covering windows with screens; and other basic precautions included in “drain and cover,” said Dalton.

STORY: 5 things to know about the Zika virus

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. A possible link between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and birth defects is being investigated in Brazil, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The CDC has issued a travel notice for Zika virus in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. More information about the CDC’s notices visit : http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

Steps to thwart mosquitoes from multiplying and biting 

  • Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
  • Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.
  • Empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week.
  • Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
  • Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

  • Clothing - Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
  • Repellent - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
    • Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.
    • Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

 Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house

  • Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

Source: Florida Department of Health