![]( "Mosquitoes carry several diseases. The Department of Health reminds the public to safeguard themselves and children against mosquito bites.")
Mosquitoes carry several diseases. The Department of Health reminds the public to safeguard themselves and children against mosquito bites.
A Nassau County resident has become infected with the West Nile virus. Nassau County remains under a mosquito-borne illness advisory, according to the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County.
The DOH-Nassau issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory earlier this summer following confirmation of Eastern equine encephalitis virus infection in horses in the county. Since the beginning of 2018, four cases of EEEV infection in horses in Nassau County and one outbreak of EEEV in emus were reported. Ten sentinel chickens have tested positive for EEEV in 2018, one tested positive for Highlands J Virus and 21 tested positive for West Nile.
DOH-Nassau, with support from Nassau County commissioners, manages sentinel chicken flocks throughout the county to monitor for mosquito-borne illnesses. DOH-Nassau continues surveillance and prevention efforts.
DOH-Nassau continues to urge residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take precautions to help limit exposure.
The department of health 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, http://legacy.myfwc.com/bird/default.asp. For more information, visit DOH’s website at http://www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne- diseases/index.html or contact your county health department.