4 confirmed cases of ‘locally acquired’ dengue found in Brevard County, DOH says

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County has found four confirmed cases of “locally acquired” dengue, a news release stated.

In response to the confirmed cases, officials said Wednesday that DOH-Brevard and Brevard County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance, enhanced monitoring and overnight spraying to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

According to the release, dengue fever is not contagious but is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Symptoms of dengue will appear within 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, DOH says, and can include severe muscle aches, joint pain, a fever and sometimes a rash.

DOH-Brevard said the community can avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by taking these precautions:

• Protect yourself with repellent, ensuring it’s safe to apply by reading the label.

• Stopping mosquitoes from breeding by removing standing water. Officials say mosquitoes can live indoors, and as little as one teaspoon of standing water is enough for mosquitoes to breed and multiply.

• Repair holes in window screens and use air-conditioning to keep mosquitoes outside.

DOH-Brevard is asking anyone experiencing any symptoms, to please call them at 321- 454-7101.