West Nile virus is out there, officials warn. Here's what you should know to stay safe

West Nile virus is showing up in Collier and Lee counties and officials are warning about the potentially fatal disease.

Each county monitors differently for its presence.

Lee tests sentinel chickens stationed countywide for antibodies to the disease. “We’ve seen it in flocks inland, to the south, on the barrier islands – all over the county,” said Eric Jackson of the Lee County Mosquito Control District. “So we know it’s out there and we’re warning people to be cautious and aware.”

Collier, which monitors standing water, got 2020's first positive test for the virus Friday morning. The sample, taken from the Bayshore boat ramp in downtown Naples, will go to the state lab in Tampa for confirmation, said Collier Mosquito Control District spokeswoman Robin King, and crews will begin spraying tonight.

“We’re going to get out there to knock these down right away,” King said. “This really demonstrates the value of having our lab and scientists being able to do the tests with immediate results so we can be immediately reactive.”

The good news is that neither county has had any human cases this year.

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Summer rain and standing water mean more mosquito broods are hatching, including the Culex variety that carries West Nile, which is most prevalent in August and September. 

In addition to West Nile, the insects can also transmit a host of other diseases, including Zika, malaria, yellow fever and dengue. There have been at least 16 cases of dengue in the Florida Keys this year, which has Lee and Collier officials on alert, though so far, no cases have been reported in either county this year.

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Though there’s a protective vaccine for horses, there’s not one for dogs, cats or humans.

“Avoiding mosquito bites is the only way to prevent West Nile (in other species),” Yzaguirre said, “So keeping animals inside during peak mosquito activity - dusk and dawn-  can help reduce their exposure, in addition to removing potential mosquito breeding sites.”

The best strategy is what the department calls "drain and cover," which as the name implies, means making standing water unavailable to egg-laying female mosquitoes.

About 80 percent of people infected with the virus don’t ever feel sick Jackson said, “and most people don’t know when they get it at all.”

When the disease does develop, it can range from a minor-but-annoying bout with flu-like fever and aches to meningitis and death, “so we really want people to be cautious,” Jackson said.

You can’t get the disease through coughing, sneezing, or touching, according to the CDC, nor is it transmitted by live or dead infected birds.

Health department statistics show the last time there was a confirmed case in Lee was in 2018, when one person had it. There was one case each in 2009 and 2010 and four in 2013, the earliest year for which data is available. Collier had a single case in 2010 and 2003.

So while caution is good, there's no reason for panic, Jackson said, especially since people have been turning to the out-of-doors as a way to avoid enclosed indoor spaces where coronavirus can be more easily transmitted.

“With COVID, the messaging has been to spend more time outdoors, but we have to be aware,” he said. “We can still be outside; we just have to use precautions”

Stay safe, learn more

To reduce you chances of getting mosquito-borne disease:

Eliminate standing water

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 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 in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Cover skin with clothing or repellent.

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 to bare skin and clothing.

Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 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, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are generally recommended. Other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol,IR3535, or 2-undecanone. 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 (CDC), mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus and 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. 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.

Dead birds can be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: http://legacy.myfwc.com/bird/default.asp.

For more information, visit DOH's website at:  http://www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/index.html

–Source: Florida Department of Health, The News-Press archives