5 Cases Of West Nile Virus Reported In Miami-Dade

MIAMI, FL — State health officials in Miami-Dade County on Friday reported five more cases of the West Nile virus.

"There has been a total of 54 West Nile virus infections in 2020," the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade warned on Friday.

Most commonly spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, symptoms typically appear between two to 14 days after being bitten in the case of people who develop symptoms.

"Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick," health officials said. "About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, pain and fatigue."

Fewer than 1 percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal illness. People over 60 and people with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk for serious illness.

Health officials urged residents to use screens on doors and windows and drain standing water from garbage cans, gutters, buckets, pool coverings, pots or other containers. Officials suggest people discard items that could serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Officials also advised residents to wear sufficient clothing and footwear to reduce the amount of exposed skin and to use mosquito repellent as appropriate.