TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - The West Nile virus has infected a person in Taylor County, health officials said.
The person's illness caused the Florida Department of Health in Taylor County on Monday to advise residents of an increased risk that other residents will become ill.
Health officials did not confirm where that case was in the county.
The information came from a Facebook post by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.
West Nile is a virus most commonly spread to people by mosquito bites, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
People can reduce their risk of getting infected by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.
This year, West Nile virus has also been found in people in Gadsden County, Leon County and Suwannee County.
Officials are reminding residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure:
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember to “Drain and Cover”:
DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.
- 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.
COVER skin with clothing or repellent.
- 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, para-menthane-diol, and IR3535 are
effective. - Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
Tips on Repellent Use
- Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a
repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children. - Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-mtoluamide) are generally recommended. Other U.S. Environmental Protection
- Agency-approved repellents contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, paramenthane-diol, or IR3535. These products are generally available at local
pharmacies. Look for active ingredients to be listed on the product label. - Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
- In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age appropriate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on
children under the age of three years. DEET is not recommended on children
younger than two months old. - Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent
first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing. - If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellent directly to your
clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s directions.
COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
- Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
For more information, visit DOH’s website or contact your county health department. For more information on what repellent is right for you, use the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help you choose skin-applied repellent products.
