MIAMI SHORES, FLA. (WSVN) - Miami-Dade County Health Officials said they have their first locally transmitted confirmed case of Dengue Fever of the year, a virus which is spread by mosquitoes.
On Monday, The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County confirmed its first locally transmitted case of Dengue infection of 2022. Now, they have issued a mosquito borne illness advisory.
“Right now we are in the peak of the mosquito season,” said Michael Mut, Public Information Officer, Mosquito Control Division, Miami-Dade County.
Officials are encouraging those to follow mosquito protection in efforts to stop mosquitoes from multiplying, to protect your skin and to follow the steps of what they call “Drain and Cover.”
“Mosquito season for us here is all year round,” said Mut. “It’s just unfortunately, we’re in the peak season where we’re getting a lot more resident complaints. We’re seeing a lot of higher mosquito counts in our traps, but definitely, we advise residents to drain and cover.”
Drain and Cover includes:
- Drain standing water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.
- Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
- To protect and cover your skin by wearing shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who work in areas where mosquitoes are present, along with wearing mosquito repellent.
- Cover doors and windows along with repairing broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
- Empty and clean bird baths as well as your pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.
- Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
- Keep swimming pools in good condition.
Dengue is a virus spread through mosquito bites by Aedes mosquitoes, which also spread the chikungunya and Zika virus. Most people infected with dengue have mild or no symptoms. Those that do develop symptoms typically recover after about one week.
“And as soon as we know the location of someone who is suspected to have a mosquito-borne illness such as dengue, we send a team out right away. We don’t waste any time. We inspect the property and other surrounding properties. Then we spray for mosquitoes, for adult mosquitoes, that evening,” said Mut.
Officials are on top of this locally transmitted confirmed case here in South Florida.
Common symptoms of Dengue include one or more if the following symptoms such as headache; eye pain (typically behind the eyes); muscle, joint, or bone pain; rash; nausea and vomiting; or unusual bleeding (nose or gum bleed, small red spots under the skin, or unusual bruising).
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