Disease prevention efforts make inroads at local level

While officials on all levels confront the spread of the Zika virus, Fort Lauderdale residents areworking to protect their communities.

Preventative measures make an impact, Jermaine Frazier, manager of the city’s EmergencyManagement Bureau, said at a recent community forum at Mills Pond Park.

To ‘mosquito proof’ your neighborhood, Frazier said, the first step is to get rid of standingwater. Look for small areas in the yard such aswagons, toys, potted plant saucers or open trash cans, he said. Clogged gutters also make a fertile spot.

The flyerswon’t breed in pools of standingwater in parking lots, said Dick Eaton, Fort Lauderdale’s code compliance supervisor. The department takes a plethora of calls about large puddles, he said. But oil on the asphalt and high street temperatures prevent growth.

Stagnant swimming pools and drainage ditches can be insect incubators. The experts recommend dropping in mosquito dunks, a bacterial larvicide.

“This is safe to use,” Eaton said. “It’s 100 percent non-toxic.”

Code complianceworkers recently checked on 371abandoned properties. They treated 71uncovered pools.

“We’ve put dunks in pools for years. It’s one reasonwe’re not as bad as some areas,” he said.

River Oaks resident TerryHarkin said her family uses the treatment because it doesn’t harm beneficial insects.

Capt. Lesly St. Fleur reminded the audience, which included members of the city’s Community Emergency Response Team to wear protective clothing and repellant. People that pick up the virus may not even knowthey have it.

“Only 1out of f5 [people] showup with symptoms,” St. Fleur said. Common signs include rash, lowgrade fever or vomiting and maymimic the flu or the common cold. Not all signs will appear.

Unlike many species, Zika-carrying mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters.

The Centers for Disease Control urge pregnantwomen to stay away fromactive Zika zones, he said. Infected fetuses may be born with complications or birth defects.

“There’s no cure,” Frazier said. “However, they’reworking on a vaccine aswe speak.”