Second case of malaria reported near Sarasota. Alert issued for Manatee County
A second case of malaria from a mosquito has been reported in Sarasota County, and a health alert has been issued in Sarasota and Manatee counties, the Florida Department of Health said Monday.
The health department reported the first case May 26, and the second on June 19. The first patient has recovered, and the second is being treated.
Both cases are are the P. vivax species of malaria, which is not as fatal as other species. Malaria only spreads through infected mosquitoes, not other people.
Abby Wolf of the FDOH in Manatee County told the Bradenton Herald on Tuesday that there have been no cases of malaria in Manatee County.
However, since this is the second confirmed local case in less than a month, the department advises residents to take precautions.
Malaria symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever and chills. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical help immediately, the release said.
Manatee and Sarasota residents should apply insect repellent, wear long sleeve shirts and pants while outside, and avoid areas with a lot of mosquitoes, especially at sunrise and sunset when they are most active.
According to the health department’s website, Florida has had two malaria epidemics in recent decades. In Palm Beach County, in 2003, there were eight cases.
Then the state recorded 65 cases of imported malaria in 2012. 45 patients had P. falciparum diagnoses, 16 had P. viridans diagnoses, two had P. ovale diagnoses, and two had P. malariae diagnoses. The 65 incidents were all connected to immigration or travel.
To reduce the risk of transmission, the health departments are working with local partners and county mosquito control to do aerial and ground spraying.
In addition, the department offers these tips on how to prevent mosquito bites:
Drain standing water
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has been collected.
- Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.
- Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep them appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover your skin
- Clothing - Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
- Repellent - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanoate, and IR3535 are effective.
- Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
- Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
- Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
Tips on mosquito repellent use
- Always read the label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.
- To protect children, read the label instructions to be sure the repellent is age-appropriate. Mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol should not be used on children under the age of three years. DEET is not recommended for children younger than two months old.
- Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing.
- Apply insect repellent that contains DEET (10–30%), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone, or IR3535. These products are generally available at local pharmacies. Look for active ingredients to be listed on the product label.
- Apply insect repellent to exposed skin or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Do not apply permethrin directly to the skin. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions.
For more information on what repellent is right for you to use, the department is asking residents to consider using the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help pick a skin-applied repellent product: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/#searchform.
