Confirmed Dengue Case In Miami-Dade

MIAMI, FL — State health officials on Monday confirmed that one person contracted Dengue in Miami-Dade County. The Florida Department of Health said that the mosquito-transmitted disease was acquired locally.

"DOH-Miami-Dade is working in conjunction with Miami-Dade County’s Mosquito Control and Habitat Management Division which has implemented its response protocol to eliminate breeding and adult mosquito activity in the area of the confirmed case," said state health officials in Miami-Dade. "Both agencies will continue surveillance and mosquito prevention efforts."

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The Dengue virus is a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"As many as 400 million people are infected yearly," the CDC reported. "Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. There are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with dengue virus and the most effective protective measures are those that avoid mosquito bites. When infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment can substantially lower the risk of medical complications and death."

Health officials said that Miami-Dade residents can minimize the threat of exposure by taking the following precautions:

• To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember to “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 pets' water bowls at least once or twice a week.
• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and 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 who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
• Repellent - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
• Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, paramenthanediol, 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-diethylmtoluamide) are generally recommended. Other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, paramenthanediol, 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 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.
• For more information on what repellent is right for you, consider using the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help you choose skin-applied repellent products.

Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site.

For more information, visit DOH’s website.
Photo courtesy Florida International University