Miami, FL – The Miami-Dade County Florida Department of Health (DOH-Miami-Dade) is on a mosquito-borne illness advisory following confirmation of an identified case of dengue fever in a resident from Miami Dade. This is the first local case of dengue infection in 2022.
Dengue is a virus transmitted by the bites of Aedes mosquitoes which also spread the chikungunya virus and Zika. Most people infected with dengue have mild or no symptoms. Those who develop symptoms usually recover after about a week.
The DOH-Miami-Dade encourages the following mosquito protection efforts to keep mosquitoes from breeding and to protect your skin by reminding you to “drain and cover.”
DRAIN standing water –
– Empty the water from garbage cans, gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other container where sprinklers or rainwater have collected.
– Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that are not in use.
– Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.
– Protect boats and vehicles from the rain with covers that do not accumulate water.
– Maintain swimming pools in good condition and suitably chlorinated. Empty plastic pools when not in use.
COVER the skin –
– Clothing – Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
– Repellent – Apply insect repellent to bare skin and clothing, but not under clothing.
– Always read the instructions on the label for approved use carefully before applying any repellent – Some repellents are not suitable for children.
– Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol and IR3535 are effective.
– Use a mosquito net to protect children under 2 months.
COVER doors and windows –
– Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches and patios to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
Additional tips on using repellents
– To protect children, read the instructions on the label to make sure the repellent is age-appropriate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquito repellents containing lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used on children under three years of age. DEET is not recommended for children under two months of age.
– Avoid applying repellents to children’s hands. Adults should first apply the repellent to their own hands, then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothes.
– If additional protection is needed, apply a permethrin-based repellent directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
For more information on which repellent is right for you, consider using the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help you choose repellent products applied to the skin: Find the repellent that’s right for you.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of dengue are fever and one or more of the following symptoms: headache; eye pain (usually behind the eyes); muscle, joint or bone pain; eruption; nausea and vomiting; or unusual bleeding (bleeding from the nose or gums, small red spots under the skin or unusual bruising). Severe dengue can occur and lead to shock, internal bleeding and death. If you or a member of your family develop the mentioned symptoms, consult your health care provider or a local clinic.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) continues to monitor statewide mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus infections, eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue fever. Florida residents are encouraged to report dead birds through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Avian Mortality website. For more information, visit the DOH website at Mosquito-Borne and Other Insect-Borne Diseases.
*Florida Department of Health press release.
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