Palm Beach County officials issue advisory of mosquito-borne illness

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>> TODAY HEALTH OFFICIALS CONFIRMED A LOCALLY ACQUIRED HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS. >> THIS IS THE FIRST HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY SINCE 2018 WHEN THERE WERE TWO. BUT THEY WERE BROUGHT INTO THE STATE. THIS LATEST CASE WAS ACQUIRED LOCALLY AND SO OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED MORE MAY OCCUR. >> ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ABOUT 80% OF WEST NILE INFECTIONS ARE ASYMPTOMATIC. WHEN SYMPTOMS DO OCCUR THEY FORM A MILD ILLNESS KNOWN AS WEST NILE FEVER CHARACTERIZED BY HEADACHE, FEVER, PAIN AND FATIGUE. MOSQUITOES CAN BITE ANY TIME ANY PLACE, SO HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE SOME PRECAUTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO HAVE LIMITED EXPOSURE UNDER THE HEADINGS TRAIN AND COVER. MEANING, YOU SHOULD DRAIN THE FOLLOWING. STANDING WATER, TO STOP – MOSQUITOES FROM MULTIPLYING. WATER FROM GUTTERS AND ITEMS THAT COLLECT WATER SUCH AS GARBAGE CANS BUCKETS, AND GET RID OF OLD TIRES, CANS, POTS AND ITEMS THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING USED SUCH AS BROKEN APPLIANCES. ITEMS SHOULD YOU COVER INCLUDE YOUR SKIN, WITH LONG PANTS AND LONG SLEEVES, AND WEAR SHOES ESPECIALLY IF YOU MUST WORK IN AREAS WHERE MOSQUITOES ARE PRESENT. ALSO, USE REPELLENT AND FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN TWO MONTHS OLD, USE MOSQUITO NETTING. BOTTOM LINE IS A GOOD RULE TO FOLLOW, IF YOU SEE WATER ACCUMULATING ANYWHERE IT DOESN’T BELONG OR STAGNANT WATER LIKE YOU SEE BEHIND ME, AVOID

The Department of Health in Palm Beach County says they have confirmed a human case of West Nile virus and there’s concern that others may contract it, as well. The County Health Director, Dr. Alina Alonso, urges residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitos and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure. According to the Department of Health, most West Nile virus infections are asymptomatic. In those people who do develop symptoms, most experience symptoms like headache, fever, pain and fatigue. Residents and visitors are urged to drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying and to cover their skin with clothing or repellent.

The Department of Health in Palm Beach County says they have confirmed a human case of West Nile virus and there’s concern that others may contract it, as well.

The County Health Director, Dr. Alina Alonso, urges residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitos and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

According to the Department of Health, most West Nile virus infections are asymptomatic. In those people who do develop symptoms, most experience symptoms like headache, fever, pain and fatigue.

Residents and visitors are urged to drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying and to cover their skin with clothing or repellent.