Rick Patrick
ECB Publishing, Inc.
In the wake of four cases of malaria in Sarasota County, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has issued a “statewide mosquito-borne illness advisory” for the State of Florida. According to a press release from the FDOH, all four individuals have been treated and have recovered. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory, released on Monday, June 26, these are the first cases of the mosquito-borne disease to be locally acquired since 2003, when eight cases were identified in Palm Beach County, Fla.
“Despite these cases, the risk of locally acquired malaria remains extremely low in the United States,” the CDC stated in their advisory. “However, Anopheles mosquito vectors, found throughout many regions of the country, are capable of transmitting malaria if they feed on a malaria-infected person.”
Malaria is not the only mosquito-borne illness that can pose a hazard. Other illnesses such as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, chilkungunya and dengue fever are also spread by mosquito bites.
The FDOH has some effective ways to help protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites and the problem that can go along with them. The FDOH reminds everyone to “Drain and Cover.” This means draining standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying and covering yourself to keep mosquitoes from biting.
• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater can collect.
• 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’s 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 and keep appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
• Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches and patios.
• 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.
• Apply mosquito repellent appropriately. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone, and IR3535 are effective.
• Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than two months old.
• Always read label directions carefully before applying any repellent.
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin or clothing, but not underclothing.
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin.
• Mosquito repellents containing lemon eucalyptus oil or para-menthane-diol 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.
• Parents should apply repellent to their hands first and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing.
Effective treatment of malaria is readily available through local hospitals and health care providers. Malaria can often be difficult to diagnose because it can affect different people in different ways. Fever is the most common symptom of the disease. Individuals with symptoms of fever, chills, sweats, nausea/vomiting and headache should seek immediate medical attention.