The Palm Beach County Health Department continues to monitor for mosquito borne illnesses. Our early detection system for mosquito borne diseases, the sentinel chickens, confirmed two additional positives for West Nile Virus in the western region of the county today. This is in addition to the three positive readings two weeks ago.
“We continue to regularly check the chickens we have placed throughout the county,” said Health Director Dr. Alina Alonso. “These birds are an excellent way to discover and monitor mosquito borne diseases in our area.”
Dr. Alonso advises residents and visitors to be watchful for possible exposure through mosquito bites and take preventive measures.
- Avoid mosquito bites! Wear protective clothing such as long pants and long sleeve shirts when outdoors and use insect repellents properly.
- Check your door and window screens and repair any holes or tears.
- Get rid of mosquitoes around your home: eliminate all standing water (even the smallest of containers that can collect water could become a breeding ground for hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes). Keep pools clean and chlorinated.
The Florida Department of Health is also recommending people take precautions to avoid mosquito bites when traveling outside of the United States. Another mosquito borne disease, Dengue Fever has had Floridians on watch since being discovered recently in the Keys and also Broward County.
Mosquito control is continuing its efforts to reduce the mosquito population through spraying.
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