DOH-Manatee Updates Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) is informing residents of a second confirmed case of locally-acquired dengue. DOH-Manatee has been proactively working with partners since the outbreak began several months ago. Coordination with county departments and Manatee County Mosquito Control to provide surveillance and prevention efforts by conducting treatment such as increased truck fogging, aerial larviciding and localized ground inspections for breeding locations.

Dengue can present as a flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and joint pain, fever, and sometimes a rash. Usually, there are no respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of dengue will appear within 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue fever is not contagious but is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

DOH-Manatee reminds the community to avoid mosquito bites by taking basic precautions.

• Wear protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. Wear loose-fitting, longsleeved shirts and pants.

• Apply insect repellents that are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to exposed skin and clothing. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• Control mosquitoes inside and outside. Repair damaged screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.

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 to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site.

For more information, visit the Department’s mosquito prevention webpage or view the weekly mosquito-borne illness surveillance reports. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please call your healthcare provider.