Officials with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County have issued a mosquito-borne illness alert after reporting 10 human locally-transmitted West Nile virus (WNV) cases Thursday.
This brings the total to 14 WNV cases in Miami-Dade County year-to-date.
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United
States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no
vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV infections in people.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected
develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, pain, and fatigue. People with mild illness typically recover within about a week with symptomatic treatment.
Less than one-percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. Symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. People over the age of 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for severe disease
Health officials continues to advise the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts by remembering to “Drain and Cover”: drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying, cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
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