By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

Officials with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) have issued a Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory Tuesday after a human case of West Nile virus (WNV) had been confirmed.

Image/CDC

Hillsborough County Mosquito Control and DOH-Hillsborough continue surveillance and prevention efforts.

There is a heightened concern additional residents will become ill and DOH-Hillsborough reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

DOH-Hillsborough advises the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts by remembering to “Drain and Cover”–DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying, COVER skin with clothing or repellent and COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV infections in people.

Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, pain, and fatigue. People with mild illness typically recover within about a week with symptomatic treatment.

Less than one-percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. Symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. People over the age of 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for severe disease.