Last year, the health department reported one case of West Nile but had none the year before, spokesman Tom Schlueter said.
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In 2015, WNV positive samples from eight mosquito pools and 169 sentinel chickens have been received from 21 counties throughout Florida.
A sixth Nassau County resident has tested positive for West Nile virus, the county’s health department said Friday.
West Nile virus can cause feverish illness, inflammation of the brain or meningitis, inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One horse tested positive for WNv and was reported in August 2015. There is heightened concern that other Hillsborough County residents and visitors may become ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito. Water collecting in swimming pool covers, buckets or bird baths provide mosquito breeding sites.
Fortunately, most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. Common signs of the disease include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches. “Until that hard frost occurs, people should continue to take precautions when spending time outdoors”. The risk of exposure is greatest in summer due to warmer weather and outdoor activities and diminishes in the fall as cold temperatures kill most mosquitoes or sends them into hibernation.
Install or fix screens – a few mosquitoes like to come indoors.
Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts; long trousers; shoes and socks when outside, especially from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
The health department advises residents heading outdoors to apply insect repellent to both skin and clothing because mosquitoes can bite through thin material.
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Check and remove standing water from children’s toys and play houses left outside.
