[RIGHT][IMG]http://sowal.com/forum/file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png[/IMG][/RIGHT][B]September 15, 2016[/B] As your Mosquito Control Commissioner I have tried to keep you informed of events within South Walton, the health department has now put out an official statement dealing with West Nile in Walton County. [B]HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES ADVISORY [/B] Contact: Crystal Steele [email]Crystal.Steele@flhealth.gov[/email] 850-892-8021 Ext. 1139 [B]Walton County, Fla.[/B]—The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) today advised residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Walton County. Several sentinel chicken flocks have tested positive for West Nile virus infection. The risk of transmission to humans has increased. South Walton County Mosquito Control, North Walton Mosquito Control and DOH-Walton continue surveillance and prevention efforts. DOH-Walton reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure. [U]To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember to [B]“Drain and Cover”[/B]:[/U] [B][U] [/U][/B] [B][U]DRAIN[/U] standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.[/B] · [U]Drain [/U]water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected. · [U]Discard[/U] old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used. · [U]Empty and clean[/U] birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week. · [U]Protect[/U] boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water. · [U]Maintain [/U]swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use. [B][U]COVER[/U] skin with clothing or repellent.[/B] [LIST] [*][U]Clothing[/U] - 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. [*][U]Repellent[/U] - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. [/LIST] [INDENT][LIST] [*]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. [/LIST][/INDENT] [B]Tips on Repellent Use[/B] [LIST] [*]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-m-toluamide) are generally recommended. Other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-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. [/LIST] [B][U]COVER[/U] doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.[/B] [LIST] [*]Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios. [/LIST] For more information on what repellent is right for you, consider using the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help you choose skin-applied repellent products: [URL]http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/#searchform[/URL]. The Department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site - [URL="http://legacy.myfwc.com/bird/default.asp"]Surveillance for Wild Bird Die-Offs[/URL]. For more information, visit our [URL='http://www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/index.html']website[/URL] or contact your county health department. [B]About the Florida Department of Health[/B] The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at [URL='https://twitter.com/HealthyFla?utm_source=article']@HealthyFla[/URL] and on [URL='https://www.facebook.com/FLDepartmentofHealth?utm_source=article']Facebook[/URL]. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit [URL='http://www.floridahealth.gov/?utm_source=article']www.FloridaHealth.gov[/URL]. . Respectfully, Commissioner John J Magee Seat 1 SWMC [B] South Walton Mosquito Control[/B] [URL='http://southwaltonmosquitocontrol.org/'] http://southwaltonmosquitocontrol.org/[/URL] [B] “Improving the Quality of Life in South Walton County”[/B]
