Florida Dept of Health issues precautionary measures to limit mosquito exposure after Hurricane Irma

Media Release

Florida Department of Health in Nassau County

Contact: Kim Geib

E-Mail: kim.geib@flhealth.gov

September 26, 2017 4:00 p.m.

Due to rainfall and flooding from Hurricane Irma, Florida Department of Health in Nassau County public health officials emphasize the importance of Florida’s residents and visitors to take steps to protect against mosquito-borne diseases.

Nassau County residents and visitors should remain diligent in protecting themselves from mosquitoes. Everyone is encouraged to take basic precautions to help limit mosquito exposure by following these recommendations of “Drain and Cover.”

• 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 to twice a week. Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
• COVER skin with clothing or repellent.
• Clothing - Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people working in areas where mosquitoes are present.
• Repellent - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. See Tips on Repellent Use below for additional instructions related to children.

  Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, and IR3535 are effective.

• Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

Tips on Repellent Use

• Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.
• Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are generally recommended. Other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or IR3535. These products are generally available at local pharmacies. Look for active ingredients to be listed on the product label.
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
• In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age-appropriate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of three years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than two months old.
• Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing.

If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellent directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s directions.

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, Zika, Malaria and Dengue Fever.

For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit DOH’s Web site at http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/index.html or call your local county health department, DOH Nassau at 904-875-6100, or view the website at http://nassau.floridahealth.gov/index.html

To determine which repellent is right for you, consider using the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency’s search tool for skin-applied repellent products: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/#searchform.

For more information, please contact the public information contact at DOH Nassau:

Kim Geib

Florida Department of Health in Nassau County

Office: 904-557-9172

E-Mail: kim.geib@flhealth.gov

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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