DRAIN & COVER TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BREEDING
Field training, outreach and education is planned for Friday in Rio
(Martin County, FL) – Summertime is here and with that comes potential for mosquito breeding. Residents are urged to “Drain and Cover” to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and biting.
In preparation for mosquito season, staff from the Florida Department of Health and Martin County Mosquito Control will conduct a field training exercise on Friday morning, June 5th in Rio. Teams will look for potential mosquito breeding sites and use GIS (geographic information system) mapping software to pinpoint locations for follow-up. Teams also plan to connect with area residents to provide prevention information and education on mosquito borne illness. In 2013, 22 locally acquired cases of dengue fever were confirmed in the Rio and Jensen Beach area.
To prevent mosquitoes from breeding, remember to Drain & Cover:
DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying
COVER skin with clothing or repellent
COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house
DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya fever and dengue fever.
For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the www.MartinCountyHealth.com or www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html.
