Zap Zika: Join The Fight… Don’t Let Bugs Bite

MONROE COUNTY – The Florida Keys currently has no confirmed cases of the Zika Virus.  The island chain also has one of the most proactive and efficient mosquito control operations in America and a health department that has worked diligently on public education about this virus.

But, officials say, now is not the time for complacency.

To prevent Zika from becoming a public health and economic problem in the Keys, a continued community effort is required to keep the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the virus from infecting our residents and visitors.

This is why the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, the Monroe County Extension Service, the City of Key West, the Village of Islamorada and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council have teamed up with the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County and Florida Keys Mosquito Control to seek the community’s support for a new public-awareness campaign called:

“ZAP Zika! Join the Fight… Don’t Let Bugs Bite.”

“It’s going to take all of us to combat this pernicious little mosquito and keep Zika out of the Keys,” Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers said. “Use screens, wear protection and dump standing water around your homes. Let’s keep our community safe!”

The Zika virus spreads to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It also can be transmitted through sex and blood transfusions. It CANNOT spread through touching, coughing or sneezing.

Aedes aegypti is a freshwater mosquito that breeds primarily in standing water, no matter how seemingly small – even in a bottle cap. They are aggressive daytime biters, although they can also bite at night. They are known as an “urban” mosquito that mostly are found in and around residences and businesses.

“The effects that Zika can have are truly devastating,” said Bob Eadie, Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County. “It shouldn’t be just the health concern of the individual who happens to get the virus, but it should be a health concern of the entire community.  The Florida Keys has all the ingredients for a mosquito-borne disease outbreak, including Zika, to take place.  Therefore, we have to take all actions necessary as residents to ensure that the mosquito population is under control.”

Help ZAP Zika by doing the following:

  1. DUMP WATER AROUND HOME AND BUSINESS: To eliminate breeding sites, drain water from garbage cans, coolers, pool covers, toys, flower pots and any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected. Don’t forget about open bilges and containers on boats. Draining should be done at least once a week, although more often is better. Remove old tires, bottles, cans, broken appliances and other items in your yard or porch that aren’t being used and could hold water.
  2. EMPTY AND CLEAN: Birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week. Flush bromeliads and other water-holding plants at least once-a-week, or remove them from your landscaping.
  3. MAINTAIN: The water balance (pool chemistry) of swimming pools. Empty and cover pools when not in use for long periods of time.
  4. KEEP MOSQUITOS OUT: Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches and patios. If screens are not available, keep windows and doors shut. Use air conditioning if available.
  5. PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN: If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, wear light-colored clothing that covers hands, arms, legs and other exposed skin. Wear socks that cover the ankles and lower legs. Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil or lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months.
  6. HELP GET OUT THE WORD TO NEIGHBORS AND VISITORS.

Mosquito control and health department officials are recruiting volunteers to place educational door hangers in English, Spanish and Creole at residences and businesses. Distribution events are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 10 at the Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St. in Key West; Aug. 23 at the Ruth Ivins Center, 3333 Overseas Highway in Marathon; and Aug. 24 at Fire Station 20, 81850 Overseas Highway on Upper Matecumbe Key in Islamorada. All these events run 7:30 a.m. to noon. You can sign up by visiting www.tinyurl.com/volunteermonroe. For more information, call 305-809-5607.

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