Mosquito-borne illness advisory

Information courtesy of the Alachua County Health Department. The mission of the Alachua County Health Department is to promote, protect, maintain and improve health and safety of all the citizens and visitors.

Mosquito-borne disease activity has increased in parts of Alachua County. Several sentinel chicken flocks and a horse have tested positive for West Nile Virus infection. The risk of disease transmission to humans has increased.

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember to DRAIN and COVER.

The Alachua County Health Department (ACHD) continues surveillance and prevention efforts and encourages everyone to take basic precautions to help limit mosquito exposure by following the Florida Department of Health (DOH) recommendations.

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 water has collected.
• Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other unused items.
• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls 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.

REPELLENT – Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective.

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

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

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