County Issues Advisory After Resident Contracts Dengue Fever

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has issued a countywide advisory after a resident tested positive for dengue fever. The health department said there is a heightened concern that more people will become ill.

Dengue fever is a disease caused when a mosquito carrying the dengue virus bites a human. One in four people infected with dengue fever will get sick. Symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days after an infected mosquito bites a person.

Dengue fever can cause a fever and other symptoms such as headaches, eye, muscle or joint pain, rash, nausea and vomiting. People with a mild case typically recover within a week with treatment. A small number can develop a severe illness resulting in shock and internal bleeding requiring immediate medical care.

People previously infected with dengue virus, pregnant women and infants are at an increased risk for severe symptoms and the risk of transmission to humans has increased.

DOH-Hillsborough is reminding residents and visitors to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

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 sprinkler or rain water 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 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 with appropriate chlorination.
• Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Cover Skin With Clothing Or Repellent

• Wear shoes, socks and long pants and long sleeves outdoors. 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. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol and IR3535 are effective. Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are generally recommended.
• Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of 3 years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than 2 months old. Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children.
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin or onto clothing, but not under clothing. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child's skin and clothing.
• Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches and patios.

To combat larval mosquitoes, Hillsborough County Mosquito Management will conduct aerial applications of Vectobac WDG Oct. 17 between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. in the west Tampa area bordered by Columbus Drive to the north, I-275 to the south, North Howard Avenue to the east and North Himes Avenue to the west.

The mosquito management helicopter will fly at an altitude of 100 feet over the area.

Visit the Florida Department of Health's website for more information on dengue fever.