- The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County confirmed a second locally acquired West Nile virus case and is coordinating mosquito control efforts.
- Residents are urged to take precautions against mosquito bites and report dead birds to aid in mosquito-borne disease surveillance.
The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua) is notifying residents of a second confirmed case of locally acquired West Nile virus infection.
According to DOH-Alachua in a press release sent on Friday, Alachua County and the cities of Gainesville, Alachua and Newberry are coordinating mosquito surveillance and prevention efforts. The efforts include treating county-maintained retention basins and conducting targeted mosquito spraying.
Many people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. Those who do become ill may experience fever, headache, body aches, weakness, rash, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Less common symptoms include neck stiffness, altered mental status and disorientation. Symptoms can appear two to 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.
West Nile virus is not spread from person to person. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
DOH-Alachua encourages residents to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
The department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue.
Florida residents are encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which uses reports as part of its mosquito-borne disease surveillance efforts.
For more information, residents can visit the Florida Department of Health’s mosquito prevention webpage or review the department’s weekly mosquito-borne illness surveillance reports.
For more information, visit the department’s mosquito prevention webpage or view the weekly mosquito-borne illness surveillance reports. Residents who are experiencing any symptoms are asked to call DOH-Alachua at 352-334-7900.