Sumter County Mosquito Control officials are seeing elevated rates of West Nile Virus infection in chicken coops throughout the county.
The virus typically causes mild disease but about one percent of infections result in more serious illness. Symptoms include headache, fever, muscle and joint pain, rash and fatigue. Residents concerned about West Nile Virus should consult with their private medical provider.
To help prevent the virus, Sumter County residents are urged to take the following precautions to keep mosquitos from multiplying:
- Drain standing 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 pets’ water bowls at least once or twice a week;
- Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water; and
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
To protect themselves, residents also should:
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeve shirts. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
- 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. EPA-approved repellent is safe for pregnant women to use.
- Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than two months old.
- Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches and patios.
Residents with questions about mosquitos or vector control can call Herschel Wiley at (352) 689-4400. Those with questions about the West Nile Virus can call the Florida Department of Health in Sumter County Epidemiology Program at (352) 569-3102.
Sumter County’s Mosquito Control Division consists of highly trained, state- certified professional staff. Surveillance and control efforts are continued throughout the year by way of light traps, inspections, chemical and biological control measures.
For more information about the Sumter County Mosquito Control Division, please visit www.sumtercountyfl.gov/193/Mosquito-Control. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, go to www.FloridaHealth.gov.
