Dengue Virus case found in Volusia County: What it is, and signs and symptoms

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Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes (Photo by: IMAGE POINT FR/NIH/NIAID/BSIP //Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Another person has contracted a mosquito-borne illness in Volusia County and health department officials continue to emphasize that the county remains under a mosquito-borne illness alert.

The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOH-Volusia) said the alert remains because a resident acquired a case of Dengue Virus Infection. DOH Volusia said the "locally acquired case" was linked to household individuals with recent travel to a dengue-endemic area.

What is the Dengue Virus Infection?

The Dengue Virus Infection spreads through mosquito bites through the Aedes mosquitoes.

What are the symptoms of the Dengue Virus infection?

Dengue can present as a severe flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and pain, fever and sometimes a rash. Usually, there are no respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of Dengue will appear within 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people infected with Dengue have mild or no symptoms. Those that do develop symptoms recover after about one week. If you or a family member develop the mentioned symptoms, visit your health care provider.

How to protect yourself against the Denue Virus Infection

Drain and Cover

Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has 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's 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 appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER skin with clothing or repellent.

Clothing - Wear shoes, socks, and 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-undecanone and IR3535 are effective.
Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.