Arboviruses
Mosquitoes and Ticks
Arboviruses are a class of viruses spread to humans by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks. Some of the arboviruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes in Santa Rosa county include West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE). Tick-borne arboviruses that are transmitted in our county include Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Symptoms can vary from none to severe or even life threatening.
Common symptoms of arbovirus illness include:
-
Fever
-
Headache
-
Tiredness
-
Dizziness
-
Confusion
-
Rash
-
Muscle weakness
To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, practice "DRAIN and COVER"
DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.
-
DISCARD: Old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots, and pans, broken appliances and other items that are not being used.
-
EMPTY and CLEAN: Birdbaths and pets' water bowls at least once or twice a week.
-
PROTECT: Boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
-
MAINTAIN: The water balance (pool chemistry) of swimming pools. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
COVER your skin with clothing and use mosquito repellent.
-
CLOTHING: If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active (especially at dusk and dawn), cover up. Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long sleeves.
-
REPELLENT: Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon, and IR3535 effective. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than two months.
COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out.
Click here for a West Nile Virus Fact Sheet (.PDF - 49KB)
The link above opens a document that
is in Portable Document Format (.pdf) and requires Adobe Reader
to view it. Please click on the logo to install the Reader.
For more information on insect repellents, visit the Centers for Disease Control website:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm.
For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses and how to help prevent them, visit these websites:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/list_mosquitoborne.htm
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/Prevention.html