A new case of local dengue fever was found in Miami-Dade
DORAL, FL – The Florida Department of Health confirmed on Tuesday a new case of local dengue fever in Miami-Dade through an advisory on mosquito-borne illnesses. This is the second case reported this year in the county.
The department did not identify the person who was infected or the Miami-Dade area where the transmission occurred but added that there is a risk of more infections happening.
“There is a heightened concern of additional residents becoming ill,” said the department in a news release.
The health department is working together with Miami-Dade’s Mosquito Control to prepare for any possible situation.
From countywide and year-round mosquito surveillance to home inspections and truck spray operations, Mosquito Control is ready for any challenges that might arise from mosquito-borne illnesses.
“Miami-Dade County’s Mosquito Control Division is operational throughout the year, meaning we are in a constant state of readiness, especially since the Zika challenge of 2016,” says Mosquito Control Director Dr. William Petrie.
A team of environmental technicians is checking the more than 180 mosquito traps spread throughout the County. Each trap is carefully examined weekly to determine the mosquito species collected, their numbers and gender.
Also, Mosquito Control has been conducting weekly mosquito larval treatment missions by truck in the areas where Zika was locally transmitted (Miami Beach, Wynwood, and Little River) since the summer of 2016.
The division also has been conducting frequent adult mosquito spray in areas where trap counts indicate a high concentration of mosquitoes, and when resident complaints point to the same conclusion. There were approximately 50 of these types of treatments performed during the month of July alone.
Protect yourself
The Florida Health Department recommends residents to drain water from garbage cans and lids, gutters, planters and flower pots around the yard.
Also, get rid of old tires, drums, bottles and other broken appliances you might have placed in your yard, and be careful with boats on trailers because they gather water.
In addition, splash the water off of pool covers so there are fewer standing puddles of water for the pests to seek.
You can also protect yourself by wearing the right clothing. Wear long sleeves, shoes, socks and long pants when outdoors even if it’s hot. To avoid overheating, choose light fabrics.
Lastly, use repellents with DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus (except on children 3 and younger), para-menthane-diol, and IR3535.
On a different note, be careful when you travel outside the country since 75 cases of external dengue fever have been confirmed this year in Florida. Dengue is more present in areas such as the Caribbean, Central, and South America and Asia.
For more information, visit DOH’s website at www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne- diseases/index.html or contact your county health department.