The Florida Division of Well being in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) emphasizes the significance of defending your self and your family members from mosquito bites. Following heavy rains and flooding, there may be an elevated threat of illness transmission from mosquitoes, particularly in heat, humid situations.
Pregnant girls are significantly susceptible to the dangers related to mosquito-borne sicknesses. It’s essential for expectant moms to take further precautions. Keep away from mosquito bites by following “drain and canopy” practices and seek the advice of your well being care supplier for extra steering and preventive measures.
DOH-Monroe works with the Florida Keys Mosquito Management District (FKMCD) to make sure the well being and security of residents and guests. FKMCD successfully reduces native mosquito populations by means of a wide range of management measures together with door-to-door inspections together with exact aerial and floor therapies.
To guard in opposition to mosquitoes, DOH-Monroe and FKMCD urge the general public to empty standing water:
- Drain water from rubbish cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or every other containers the place sprinkler or rainwater has collected.
- Discard outdated tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, damaged home equipment and different objects that aren’t getting used.
- Empty and clear birdbaths and pets’ water bowls not less than twice every week.
- Shield boats and automobiles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
- Keep swimming swimming pools in good situation and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming swimming pools when not in use.
DOH additionally urges the general public to guard themselves from mosquitoes.
- For those who should be exterior when mosquitoes are lively, cowl up. Put on footwear, socks, lengthy pants and lengthy sleeves.
- Apply mosquito repellent to reveal pores and skin and clothes. All the time use repellents in keeping with their labels. Repellents with 10-30% DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are typically simplest. If utilizing each repellent and sunscreen, put sunscreen on first and bug repellent second and apply not less than quarter-hour aside to make sure most efficacy of each merchandise.
- Use mosquito netting to guard youngsters youthful than 2 months outdated.
Extra data is at monroe.floridahealth.gov.