Re: USA - Confirmed Cases Of Dengue, local transmission in Florida & Texas
June 24, 2014
Contact: Renay Rouse
(772) 631-6008
For Immediate Release
DENGUE FEVER COMMUNITY SURVEY SUMMARY
NOW AVAILABLE
(Martin County, FL) ? The Florida Department of Health in Martin County has released a summary
related to the community survey on dengue fever conducted last summer in Martin County.
A total of
24 locally acquired cases of dengue fever were confirmed, with onset dates ranging from June to
September 2013.
In September of 2013, Department staff conducted a door to door survey in the Rio and Jensen Beach
area to learn more about the extent of and factors contributing to an outbreak of dengue fever in that
area. More than 300 residents were asked to take part in the survey and provide a blood sample for
dengue analysis.
Click here to view the report.
Included in the findings:
- 71% of the participants had sources of standing water (buckets, potted plants) in their yards
- only 13% of participants said they always use mosquito repellent when outdoors
- 82% of survey participants had heard of dengue, with TV and newspapers as the most
common sources of knowledge
?We ask residents to be pro-active to stop mosquitos from breeding and biting by draining standing
water in containers around their homes and wearing mosquito repellent that contains DEET.? said
Karlette Peck, Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Martin County.
The Florida Department Health and Martin County Mosquito Control encourage all residents 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, and IR3535 are effective.
Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house
Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
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 US Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents contain
Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, 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 CDC, mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus 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.
For more information on what repellent is right for you, consider using the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) search tool to help you choose skin-applied repellent products:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/#searchform
DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito borne illnesses, including West Nile
virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, dengue fever and
Chikungunya.
More information can be found at:
www.MartinCountyHealth.com
The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through
integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida
Department of Health please visit
www.floridahealth.gov.
http://www.floridahealth.gov/CHD/Martin/Documents/2014_PR/Denguesummarynews_June2014final2.pdf
