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A Seminole county man, aged 19, has been diagnosed with what is believed to be locally acquired Dengue, according to a press release today from the Orange County Health Department.
HEALTH HEALTH ADVISORY – DEPARTMENTS INVESTIGATING LOCALLY ACQUIRED DENGUE FEVER CASE
Tuesday, October 30, 2012 -ORLANDO – The Seminole and Orange County Health Departments are investigating a locally acquired case of dengue fever near the Seminole and Orange County line by the University of Central Florida. The 19 year old Seminole County man was diagnosed with dengue fever based on symptoms and confirmed by laboratory tests. The individual is recovering from this illness.
Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by a type of mosquito common to the southeastern United States and the tropics. It is not spread from person to person. Mosquitoes usually bite at dusk and dawn, but the mosquitoes that carry dengue bite during the day as well – especially indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy.
Though some people may experience little to no symptoms; the most commons symptoms of dengue include high fever (over 101 degrees Fahrenheit), severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, muscle, joint and bone pain, rash, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. There is no specific medication or vaccine for dengue fever. If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with dengue fever, please call your healthcare provider to see if you need to be seen.
The health departments encourage all residents and visitors to help lower mosquito populations by taking appropriate measures to guard against these diseases by practicing Drain and Cover.
This includes:
DRAIN standing water:
• Drain water from garbage cans, 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.
• 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.
• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
The most recent Florida Arbovirus Surveillance Report (Oct 27th) only lists one other locally acquired case of Dengue in Florida in 2012 (see Miami Reports Locally Acquired Dengue Case).
This compared to 28 cases reported in 2009, and then 63 locally-acquired cases in Key West, one in Broward County, and one in Miami-Dade County for 2010.
The following year, 2011, saw a significant reduction in cases with just three locally acquired in Miami-Dade County, two in Palm Beach County, and one each in Martin and Hillsborough counties.
Although cooler weather has finally arrived in the Sunshine state, we’ve yet to see a freeze, and so mosquitoes are still active. For this reason, the Florida DOH recommends.
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