Department of Health warns of dengue fever case in Collier County

The Florida Department of Health in Collier County is advising residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease in the areas of Collier County.

The health department said there is a locally-acquired case of dengue fever. The mosquito-borne illness is found in the subtropics.

“There is a heightened concern additional residents will become ill,” the health department said.

DOH-Collier reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

With proper treatment, dengue fever will not kill you but the virus will make you feel sick for a while.

Symptoms include a severe headache occurring behind the eyes, a rash, a fever, and muscle and joint aches.

“Collier County has not recorded a locally acquired case of dengue fever in over 20 years,” said Kristine Hollingsworth, public information officer with the Florida Department of Health in Collier County. “Symptoms of dengue fever include a severe headache, occurring behind the eyes, a rash, as well as muscle and joint aches, and a sudden onset of a very high fever.”

Hollingsworth said it’s a locally acquired case.

“So that means the mosquito was here in Southwest Florida, and it bit the person here and they do reside in Collier County,” Hollingsworth said.

There are two species of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever and they are both nonnative species.

Dr. Joyce Fassbender is an entomologist at FGCU.

“These are more than mosquitoes that you’ll find in just your average neighborhood because they can survive and smaller amounts of water that can reproduce in smaller amounts of water. And they also really, are people feeding. They feed on humans more than they feed on other animals,” Fassbender said.

The Collier Mosquito Control District said they are working on setting up more traps while also bringing in more mosquitos for testing.

The Collier Mosquito Control District said they will begin treatments on Thursday night. The mosquito that transmits dengue fever lives in urban, highly populated environments because it prefers to feed on humans, the district said in a press release.

“It is a day-time biter and breeds in containers holding water around homes and businesses, including buckets, trash cans, potting trays, and garbage. Residents are encouraged to empty any containers holding water daily,” the district said.

There is no vaccine for dengue fever and it cannot spread among people through sneezing, coughing or touch.

However, in some cases, it can be fatal.

“A mosquito picks up dengue fever in its salivary glands when biting a person infected with the virus,” says District Executive Director Patrick Linn. “The mosquito then passes the virus to each human she bites. We test area mosquitoes for disease in our laboratory weekly, and currently none have tested positive for any mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue.”

DOH-Collier said to protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember to “Drain and Cover”:

DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

• 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.

• Clothing – 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.
• Repellent – 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, 2-undecanone 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, 2-undecanone or IR3535. 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 or 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.

Source: The Florida Department of Health in Collier County.