Broward sees first cases of West Nile virus in 8 years
There’s now one more virus South Floridians should be vigilant to avoid: Mosquitoes have been biting people across the region, infecting them with the West Nile virus.
About 80% of people infected with West Nile virus are asymptomatic, but those who do get ill with West Nile fever often experience headaches, fever, pain and fatigue, the Florida Department of Health warns. Fewer than 1% of people who contract the virus grow seriously ill.
At least one new case of the West Nile virus was recently confirmed in Broward County, one of the first seen in years. The county would not say how many cases they confirmed or provide any other information, but said on Monday there is now a “heightened concern that additional residents ill.”
Prior to this latest case, the first case of West Nile virus since 2012 in Broward County was reported on Aug. 4 of this year. The department couldn’t be reached for comment.
Miami-Dade County has reported 44 cases of West Nile Virus this year, with 11 of those cases confirmed last week, according to health officials in that county.
Palm Beach County also confirmed one locally contracted case of West Nile virus last month. Before that, the last documented case of West Nile in Palm Beach County was in 2018. Health officials said those cases were “imported,” meaning the virus was contracted elsewhere but documented locally. It was unclear where those cases were contracted from.
In one effort to reduce
will become the spread of mosquitoborne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, West Nile, Zika, and others, a British biotechnology company recently got approval for a controversial program that would release genetically modified mosquitoes into the Florida Keys.
There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile virus in people, but there are steps people can take to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Health officials say mosquitoes can be discouraged from congregating or laying eggs near your house or business by draining standing water, cleaning things like bird baths and water bowls for pets often, throwing out old tires, cans, bottles and other containers that could hold water and cleaning and covering pools and boats.