- The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County confirmed a human case of locally acquired West Nile virus and issued an advisory.
- Alachua County and local cities are coordinating mosquito control through treatment and spraying to prevent further West Nile virus spread.
The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua) is informing residents of a confirmed human case of locally acquired West Nile virus.
According to an Alachua County press release, DOH-Alachua, Alachua County, the city of Gainesville, the city of Alachua and the city of Newberry Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by treating county-maintained retention basins and targeted spraying.
The department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya, and dengue. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website, www.myfwc.com.
For more information, visit the department’s mosquito prevention webpage or contact the health department at ACHDPress@flhealth.gov.
DOH-Alachua reminds the community to avoid mosquito bites by taking these basic precautions (see below):
