Pinellas Issues West Nile Virus Advisory

With 19 sentinel chickens testing positive for West Nile virus in recent weeks, Pinellas County health officials are asking residents to take precautions to avoid bites. The health department issued an advisory Friday warning residents about the dangers of this mosquito-borne illness.

“This advisory is being issued due to 19 positive tests for West Nile Virus in sentinel chickens from Pinellas County Mosquito Control coops,” the department explained in an email. “As a result, the risk of transmission to humans in the county has increased.”

With that in mind, the health department is asking residents to take precautions to avoid bites.

Mara Burger, press secretary for the Florida Department of Health, told Patch there have been five confirmed cases of West Nile in Florida this year. Two were reported in Walton County, two in Escambia and one in Volusia. There have been no reported human cases in Pinellas or the Bay area so far.

“It is important for people to remember to drain standing water, cover their skin and wear insect repellent, as well as cover doors and windows with screens to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes,” Burger said.

West Nile virus produces no symptoms in about 70 to 80 percent of people infected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people, however, can develop such symptoms fever, rash, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting and diarrhea. In less than 1 percent of those infected severe symptoms may develop. The infection may lead to encephalitis or meningitis, which is an inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissue, the CDC says. Of those who develop severe complications about 10 percent die.

Residents can do their part to control the mosquito population by eliminating ideal breeding locations from their yards. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a quarter inch of standing water, the county noted. It is asking residents to heed these precautions:

• Empty water from old tires, flower pots, garbage can lids, recycling containers, boat tarps and buckets
• Eliminate standing water near plumbing drains, air conditioner drips, septic tanks or rain gutters
• Flush birdbaths and wading pools weekly
• Flush bromeliads twice weekly or treat with a biological larvicide
• Change the water in outdoor pet dishes daily
• Keep pools adequately chlorinated
• Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating gambusia fish
• Cover rain barrels with fine mesh screening
• Repair rips or tears in door and window screens

For more information about mosquitoes and avoiding exposure, visit the Florida Department of Health online.

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