Pasco Issues Warning After Equine Encephalitis Found In County

PASCO COUNTY, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County announced Monday that several sentinel chickens, which serve as early indicators, had tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis virus infections.

As a result, the risk of transmission to humans has increased, according to the DOH-Pasco.

The Pasco County Mosquito Control District and the DOH-Pasco are keeping an eye out on the situation.

EEEV infections can lead to neurologic disease. According to the CDC, approximately a third of all people with encephalitis due to EEEV infection die.

Symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, arthralgia and myalgia. The illness lasts one to two weeks, and most people recover completely when there is no central nervous system involvement.

Signs and symptoms of neurologic disease include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, drowsiness and coma.

There is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for EEEV infections in humans.

The DOH is urging residents to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater 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.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
• Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone and IR3535 are effective.
• Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
• Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches and patios.