Press Release
JUNE 30th, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
NEWS
MEDIA ONLY: TIM O’CONNOR
561-671-4013 or
press50@doh.state.fl.us |
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL—The
Florida Department of Health
is following an increase in
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
virus activity in the state.
Palm Beach County now has a
confirmed case of Eastern
Equine Encephalitis of a
horse from the Jupiter area
that had to be euthanized on
June 23rd. So far, sentinel
chickens in Palm Beach
County have not tested
positive for the EEE virus,
but as a precaution, our
sentinel chickens will now
be tested weekly instead of
bi-weekly. Also Palm Beach
County Mosquito Control has
begun aerial spraying in the
north county in an effort to
eradicate rising mosquito
populations.
This is the 19th horse to be
reported with EEE virus
infection with onset this
year. Sentinel chickens from
Brevard, Citrus, Flagler,
Leon, Martin, Orange,
Putnam, Sarasota, St. Johns,
and Volusia counties have
also tested positive for
antibodies to EEEV. The
Department of Agriculture is
advising horse owners to
have their animal’s
vaccinations up to date.
Eastern equine encephalitis
is not passed from an
infected horse to humans.
The Eastern Equine
Encephalitis virus is an
arbovirus spread by infected
mosquitoes, which can
sometimes transmit the
infection to horses, other
animals, and, in rare cases,
people. There is no West
Nile Virus or EEE vaccine
available for humans,
therefore it is extremely
important for the public to
take preventive measures to
reduce the risk of mosquito
bites:
-
Use an insect repellant
when outdoors
-
Wear light comfortable
clothes with long
sleeves, long pants and
socks at night
-
Drain standing water
from around the house
including pots, boat
covers, containers,
gutters.
-
Repair any screens that
may have holes.
For more information log on
to
www.doacs.state.fl.us
<<
Back to Press
|
