Pasco County health officials have issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory after several sentinel chickens tested positive for West Nile virus. The warning signals that the virus is circulating in local mosquito populations and has prompted stepped-up surveillance and targeted control work.
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County issued the advisory Thursday, July 30, after the positive chicken tests. The notice says Pasco County Mosquito Control District has increased mosquito surveillance and targeted control efforts in affected areas.
Why Sentinel Chickens Matter
Sentinel chickens serve as an early-warning system because they can develop detectable antibodies after being bitten by infected mosquitoes without becoming sick themselves. The Pasco County Mosquito Control District says blood testing can reveal West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases before they pose a greater threat to people or animals.
The latest Florida arbovirus report, covering July 12-18, listed one Pasco sentinel chicken positive for West Nile virus on April 20 and one human West Nile case statewide, in Alachua County, in May. That report predates Thursday's advisory, which does not identify the exact number or locations of the newly positive chickens.
What Pasco Residents Should Do
DOH-Pasco is asking residents to drain standing water around homes and businesses at least once a week, including water collecting in flowerpots, buckets, birdbaths, pet bowls, gutters, tarps, pool covers and rain barrels. Residents should also wear long sleeves and pants when practical, use an EPA-registered repellent according to its label, and keep window and door screens in good repair, according to the health department's advisory.
Residents who notice unusually high mosquito activity can report their concerns to the mosquito control district. Dead birds can be reported through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's reporting form, another tool officials use to monitor possible virus activity.
Symptoms Can Be Mild Or Severe
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms, while others may experience fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting or a rash. The Florida Department of Health says fewer than 1% of infected people develop severe neurological illness, which can include meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis, coma or death.
