Florida health officials have noticed an increased presence of the mosquito-borne virus known as Eastern equine encephalitis or EEE.
According to WPTV, due to several sentinel chickens testing positive for EEE in Orange County, the Florida Department of Health warns that,”the risk of transmission to humans has increased.”
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that about seven cases of the EEE virus in humans are reported in the US each year, it is a fatal virus that must be acknowledged.
The CDC affirm that 30% of people who contract EEE die and survivors experience severe neurological issues such as brain swelling.
Symptoms begin to surface 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The symptoms to look out for are; sudden onset of headaches, high fever, chills and vomiting. Some more severe symptoms include disorientation, seizures and coma.
Local government officials urge the public not to panic as, Chris Reisinger, Palm Beach County Mosquito Control Environmental Program supervisor states,”…usually we see Eastern equine encephalitis numbers start in the Florida Panhandle and into the end of the mosquito season or later into summer.”
Local officials are also working on increasing the number of mosquito traps, as its 17 mosquito trap numbers are low for this time in the year.
Individuals are urged to stay safe through the following methods:
- Avoid being bitten by draining standing water around your homes.
- Cover your skin with clothing or repellant.
- Use screens to cover doors and windows.
- Contact local exterminator services or a mosquito treatment professional to get rid of or at least control the number of mosquitos in your area. It is best to seek pest control services as soon as you notice the increase of the number of mosquitoes in your property to ensure your family is protected.
