Media
April 1st, 2010
For Immediate ReleaseContact: Deb Millsap, 252-8220
For Spanish: Paula DiGrigoli, 252-5361
Middle Aged Individuals with Chronic Health Conditions Urged to Get Vaccinated for H1N1
Collier: Recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) indicate H1N1 flu continues to be a risk for those people who are not yet immunized. H1N1 is still circulating throughout the United States especially in the Southeast region, with recent increased activity in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. And although virus activity has lessened significantly in Florida since December, there have been over 20 additional deaths and more than 90 hospitalizations attributed to H1N1 flu since the New Year in Florida. The alarming aspect of these severe infections is they are occurring primarily in middle-aged individuals with risk factors, such as pregnancy and obesity, that put them at higher risk of complications from H1N1 or individuals who have underlying health conditions such as respiratory or neurological disease. Since the New Year, forty percent of the Florida H1N1-related deaths and hosptializations have occurred in individuals between the ages of 25 - 49 years of age. "There is no reason for anyone to contract this disease or die from it when a vaccine is readily available. If you have not been immunized, especially if you're in the middle age group with a chronic health condition, please come get vaccinated." urges Joan Colfer, M.D., M.P.H., Collier County Health Department Director.
Many area pharmacies, as well as the Collier County Health Department clinics continue offer H1N1 vaccine. Health Department H1N1 vaccine clinic days and times are as follows:
At the Health Department (3301 East Tamiami Trail, Naples) in the Health Building, Room 153, from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
At Immokalee Clinic (419 North 1st. Street, Immokalee), from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Wednesdays and from 5 - 8 pm on Wednesdays, April 7th & 21st and from 10 - 2pm on Saturdays, April 10th & 17th
At the Golden Gate WIC office (4945 Golden Gate Parkway, Suite #102, Naples), from 5 - 8 pm Wednesdays April 14th & 28th and from 10 - 2 pm Saturday, April 24th
Appointments are not necessary and vaccine obtained at the Health Department is free. Insurance and Medicare cards will be billed a small vaccine administration fee, but there will be no out of pocket cost to the individual.
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July 6th, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Deb Millsap, 239-252-8220
COLLIER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS ADVISORY
Collier: The Collier County Health Department (CCHD) and the Florida Department of Health are issuing a mosquito-borne advisory after a second positive report of a horse with Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) in Collier County in the past two weeks. The virus is maintained in a cycle between mosquitoes and birds in freshwater swampy areas, sometimes biting a horse or a human.
EEEV causes severe illness in humans and horses. Symptoms in humans develop 3-10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and begin with a sudden onset of fever, general muscle pains, and a headache of increasing severity. Symptoms can become more severe over 1-2 weeks and infected individuals will either recover or show onset of inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) with seizures and vomiting.
Human cases are usually preceded by those in horses. Disease transmission does not occur directly from person to person. Those at highest risk are people who live in or visit woodland areas, people who work or participate in outdoor recreational activities where there is greater exposure to potentially infected mosquitoes.
The CCHD reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Everyone is encouraged to take the basic steps to limit exposure by following these recommendations:
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember the “5Ds”:
•Dusk and Dawn -- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood. For many species, this is during the dusk and dawn hours.
•Dress -- Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
•DEET -- When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are recommended. Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are other repellent options.
•Drainage -- Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
Some effective repellants are DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535. Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children. Elimination of breeding sites is one of the keys to prevention.
Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites
•Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters.
•Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain.
•Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
•Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
•Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
• Pump out bilges on boats.
•Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week.
•Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
•Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.
There are vaccines available for use in horses in protecting them against EEE, WEE, and WNV. Horse owners should contact their veterinarian about the appropriate use of these vaccines.
For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit DOH's Environmental Health web site at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html or call the Collier County Health Department at 239-252-8226. For a two-page Mosquito-borne Disease in Florida Fact sheet describing the transmission cycle, symptoms of illness and mosquito-borne disease prevention go to
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July 9th, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Deb Millsap, 239-252-8220
Adrian Salinas, 239-436-1000
Third Horse Death - Related to Mosquito Illness
Collier: A third horse, in less than a month, has died after contracting a mosquito-borne illness, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE). “We are concerned about the presence of this virus in our community. It has had a tragic outcome for the owners of these horses and we sympathize with their loss. Of further concern is these deaths alert us to the fact that our residents are also at risk of acquiring EEE” informs Collier County Health Department Director, Joan Colfer, M.D., M.P.H.. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports all residents of and visitors to areas where EEE activity has been identified are at risk of infection.
Health officials are worried because there has not been a horse or human case of EEE in Collier County for at least 24 years, according to Dr. Frank Van Essen, Executive Director, Collier Mosquito Control District. With three horse deaths so early in our mosquito season, it is imperative horse owners vaccine their horses against EEE and because there is no vaccine for humans, individuals need to be vigilant about protecting themselves from being bitten by a mosquito.
EEE causes severe illness in humans and horses. Symptoms in humans develop 3-10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and begin with a sudden onset of fever, general muscle pains, and a headache of increasing severity. Symptoms can become more severe over 1-2 weeks and infected individuals will either recover or show onset of inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) with seizures and vomiting.
Human cases are usually preceded by those in horses. Disease transmission does not occur directly from person to person. Those at highest risk are people who live in or visit woodland areas, people who work or participate in outdoor work or recreational activities where there is greater exposure to potentially infected mosquitoes.
The Health Department and the Collier Mosquito Control District reminds residents and visitors to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Everyone is encouraged to take the basic steps to limit exposure by following these recommendations:
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember the “5Ds”:
· Dusk and Dawn -- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood. For many species, this is during the dusk and dawn hours.
· Dress -- Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
· DEET -- When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are recommended. Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are other repellent options. Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.
· Drainage -- Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites
· Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters.
· Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain.
· Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
· Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
· Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
· Pump out bilges on boats.
· Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week.
· Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
· Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.
There are vaccines available for use in horses in protecting them against EEE, WEE, and WNV. Horse owners should contact their veterinarian about the appropriate use of these vaccines.
For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, and mosquito control treatment schedules visit:
The Collier Mosquito Control District website at: www.CMCD.org
DOH's Environmental Health web site at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html
or call the Collier County Health Department at 239-252-8226. For a two-page Mosquito-borne Disease in Florida Fact sheet describing the transmission cycle, symptoms of illness and mosquito-borne disease prevention go to
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Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. It is provided for educational purposes only.
You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Collier County Health Department | 3301 E. Tamiami Trail, Bldg. H | Naples, FL 34112
Site last updated July 27, 2010 11:33 AM
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July 27th, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Deb Millsap, 239-252-8220
Adrian Salinas, 239-436-1000
4th Collier Horse Dies of Mosquito-borne Virus
Collier: In Collier County, a fourth horse, within the past month, has fallen victim to the mosquito-borne virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Of additional concern, in Hillsborough County where four horses have died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a resident tragically died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis in recent weeks.
EEE causes severe illness in humans and horses. Symptoms in humans develop 3-10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and begin with a sudden onset of fever, general muscle pains, and a headache of increasing severity. Symptoms can become more severe over 1-2 weeks and infected individuals will either recover or show onset of inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) with seizures and vomiting.
Human cases are usually preceded by those in horses. Disease transmission does not occur directly from person to person. Those at highest risk are people who live in or visit woodland areas, people who work or participate in outdoor work or recreational activities where there is greater exposure to potentially infected mosquitoes.
There are vaccines available for use in horses in protecting them against EEE, Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), and West Nile Encephalitis (WNV). Horse owners should contact their veterinarian about the appropriate use of these vaccines. However, because there are not vaccines for humans, Collier County Health Department and Collier Mosquito Control District officials remind residents and visitors to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Because mosquito control treatments cannot eliminate all mosquitoes, everyone is encouraged to take the basic steps to limit exposure by following these recommendations:
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember the “5Ds”:
· Dusk and Dawn -- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood. For many species, this is during the dusk and dawn hours.
· Dress -- Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
· DEET -- When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are recommended. Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are other repellent options. Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.
· Drainage -- Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Production Sites:
· Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters.
· Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain.
· Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
· Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
· Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
· Pump out bilges on boats.
· Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week.
· Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
· Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.
For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, and mosquito control treatment schedules visit:
The Collier Mosquito Control District website at: www.CMCD.org
DOH's Environmental Health web site at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/arboviral/index.html
or call the Collier County Health Department at 239-252-8226. For a two-page Mosquito-borne Disease in Florida Fact sheet describing the transmission cycle, symptoms of illness and mosquito-borne disease prevention go to
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