Increase in mosquito borne disease activity prompts advisory

The Palm Beach County Health Department continues to monitor for mosquito borne illnesses. The department early detection system for mosquito borne diseases, the sentinel chickens, continues to confirm additional positives for West Nile Virus in the western region.

In addition, Palm Beach County now has a second confirmed case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis resulting in a horse from Wellington being euthanized earlier this month. So far, sentinel chickens in Palm Beach County have not tested positive for the EEE virus, and Palm Beach County Mosquito Control is continuing ground and aerial spraying in an effort to eradicate rising mosquito populations.

“The Palm Beach County Health Department is issuing an advisory for residents and visitors to take every available precaution to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes known to spread certain illnesses,” said Health Department Director Dr. Alina Alonso.

Alonso warns residents to avoid mosquito bites, wear protective clothing such as long pants and long sleeve shirts when outdoors and to use insect repellents properly.

The department is also asking people to check door and window screens and repair any holes or tears, get rid of mosquitoes around their home by eliminate all standing water - stressing that even the smallest of containers collecting water could become a breeding ground for hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes. Pool owners are also ask to keep pools clean and chlorinated.

The department says that Eastern Equine Encephalitis is not passed from an infected horse to humans. The Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus is an arbovirus spread by infected mosquitoes, which can sometimes transmit the infection to horses, other animals, and, in rare cases, people. There is no West Nile Virus or EEE vaccine available for humans; therefore it is extremely important for the public to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

The Department of Agriculture is advising horse owners to have their animal’s vaccinations and boosters up to date. EEE and West Nile infections are preventable in horses that are vaccinated. 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 confirmed in the Keys and also Broward County.