Pensacola, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) reminds all people to protect themselves and their families against mosquito bites and mosquito-borne illnesses. Escambia County, Florida remains under a mosquito-borne illness alert. Two additional cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have recently been confirmed in Escambia County residents. There are currently four confirmed cases of human WNV in Escambia County, Florida, and nine confirmed human cases of WNV, statewide, in Florida for calendar year 2015.

“Residents and visitors should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to limit exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses,” says FDOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John J. Lanza. The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division and FDOH-Escambia continue surveillance and prevention efforts. There is heightened concern that other Escambia County residents and visitors may become ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito.

To protect yourself from mosquitos, you should remember to drain and cover: 

Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
• Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items not being used.
• Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week.
• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows.

• Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
• Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
• Always use repellents according to the label. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered repellents with 10-30 percent DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-mentane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection.
• Re-apply mosquito repellent as often as needed to prevent mosquito landings and bites.
• Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
• Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing. Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children.
• Place screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Repair broken screens.