Health Department warning in Key West: DENGUE FEVER

From my sister Ann who lives in Key West.  We're all going down October for our mom's 93rd birthday celebration... but we need to be careful of the mosquitoes now!  In all our years of living and visiting our beloved Key West, this is the first I've heard of a Dengue Fever warning.  It could travel up the Keys and arrive in our area, I suppose.  Climate change!   Dee ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: A Warren Date: Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 6:55 PM Subject: Health Department warning in Key West: DENGUE FEVER To: We've got the standing water at the Yellow house under control.  If you can bring down Avon Skin So Soft (lots of it) its hands down the BEST no-seeum & mosquito replellent there is hands down, bar none. Read the health department article, thanks to Karen Sands for sending this to me: -----Original Message----- From: News & Announcements <monroecofl_news@mm.windigicert.com> To: MonroeCoFL_News@mm.windigicert.com Sent: Thu, Sep 17, 2009 4:46 pm Subject: Health Advisory: Dengue presence in Key West FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           Contact: Chris Tittel September 17, 2009                                      (305) 809-5653 / (305) 924-6839    Health Advisory: Dengue presence in Key West         The Administrator of Monroe County Health Department, Bob Eadie,  has issued a Health Advisory, effective immediately for the Key West area because the presence of dengue fever has been confirmed in Key West. It is the first locally acquired infection in decades.  In collaboration with the Monroe County Health Department, the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will send a team to Key West this weekend to interview residents and take blood samples in an effort to identify the specific serotype of the virus and determine its place of origin.         Within the past two weeks, the department has confirmed one other case of dengue and has submitted samples on two other possible cases to its labs. All three cases are linked to individuals who live in or frequent Old Town. All three individuals have fully recovered.         Monroe County Health Department, Florida Department of Health, the CDC and the Mosquito Control Board staff on the matter are all working closely to alleviate the threat posed by the emergence of this disease. Mosquito Control has expanded its control measures to include increased aerial and ground spraying, environmental surveys and breeding site mitigation. The elimination of adult mosquitoes and breeding sites are among the most effective measures to mitigate the presence of the mosquito.          According to Eadie "everyone who was ill has fully recovered," "Dengue is rare in Florida, but not unknown. It's just one of several mosquito-borne illnesses monitored by the department and why we continually remind the public to take precautions against mosquito bites."         Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by a breed of mosquito common to the southeastern United States and the tropics. It is not spread from person to person.                  More than 100 million cases of dengue occur every year worldwide.         Although a number of cases of dengue are reported in Florida each year in immigrants and travelers to tropical areas, the department said that this is the first locally acquired case of dengue reported in more than 40 years in the state.         "Many people may be infected and not develop any symptoms," Eadie said. "The Department of Health and the CDC will have to do some detective work after interviewing and drawing blood from residents who appear to be perfectly fine but may have the virus. They can use the information to pinpoint where we might have problem areas, particularly with regard to mosquitoes and breeding sites."  Symptoms of dengue include high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, backache, joint and muscle pains, nausea and vomiting and sometimes rash. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek care from a medical provider.         People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or congestive heart failure maybe at increased risk of severe disease.         Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of dengue that develops in only a small percentage of cases, but can prove fatal if not treated properly. However, with timely medical treatment the mortality rate is less than 1%.         "There is no vaccine or antidote for dengue," Eadie said. "The best way to safeguard you and your loved ones from getting the virus is to take preventive measures against mosquitoes.. These include making sure there are no containers with standing water, eliminating mosquitoes from one's residences, and using repellant to ward off bites."          Tips on Repellent Use Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before applying a repellent.   In protecting children, make sure the repellent is appropriate. DEET is not recommended on children younger than 2 months old.   Infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting should be used over carriers when outside. Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults sho uld apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child's skin and clothing.    Apply insect repellent to exposed skin or onto clothing, but not under clothing.  Do not apply repellent to the eyes or mouth, cuts, wounds or irritated skin. Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites Remove water in old tires, buckets, garbage cans and other containers where water collects. Check clogged gutters and flat roofs that may have poor drainage. Fill in holes or dips in the ground that collect water. Level the ground around your home so water can run off. Empty birdbaths, water bowls, plant pots and wading pools once or twice a week. Store boats upside down or with a cover.           For more information on dengue, visit www.floridashealth.com and www.cdc.gov/dengue .