DOH-Broward Health Officials Urge Mosquito-Borne Illness Awareness

Broward County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) emphasizes the importance of Florida’s residents and visitors protecting themselves against mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever.

DOH-Broward reminds the community to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by taking these basic precautions:

• Protect yourself with repellent.
• Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent.
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin.
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin or clothing but not under clothing.
• Some repellents are not suitable for children. Ensure repellent is safe for children and age appropriate.
• Stop mosquitoes from breeding. Mosquitoes can live indoors and will bite at any time, day or night. Mosquitoes breed by laying eggs in and near standing water. As little as one cap of water standing for more than one week is enough for mosquitoes to breed and multiply.
• Keep mosquitoes outside. Use air conditioning and keep screens on all windows.
• Repair holes in screens.
• Keep doors and exterior windows closed.
• At least once a week, empty or cover anything that could hold water, such as buckets, toys, child pools and pool covers, birdbaths, trash, containers, recycling bins, boat or car covers, roof gutters, coolers, pet dishes, and tires.

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. Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Tips for preventing mosquito bites

Mosquito-Borne Illness Surveillance Reports