Key West The Newspaper

MONROE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County and Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) hosted five door-to-door outreaches on mosquito bite prevention from Key West to Key Largo, including all military bases and housing in Key West.

With the direction of Mosquito Control, nearly 150 volunteers went door-to-door, covering most of the Keys’ hotspots for the Aedes aegypti mosquito – the species found around homes and businesses that can carry the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Volunteers spoke face-to-face with residents and visitors about the importance of “drain and cover,” a weekly routine people should do around their residences and businesses to eliminate standing water sites where mosquitos breed. They also talked to people about the importance of taking steps to prevent getting bitten by mosquitos, the most common way the Zika virus is spread. The volunteers distributed about 24,000 educational door hangers in English, Spanish and Creole.

“We want to thank all of the volunteers who joined in this important effort,” says, Bob Eadie,

Administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County. “Engaging the community through these outreaches and showing them that they can help keep mosquitos from breeding and biting is critical.”

“Community awareness and support is one of the best ways to help prevent transmission of mosquitoborne diseases,” stated Andrea Leal, Interim Executive Director of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District. “It was great to see everyone working together to zap Zika.”

Volunteers included retired residents and other concerned citizens, as well as people representing numerous agencies: Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, US Coast Guard, US Naval Branch Clinic, Medical Reserve Corps, Community Emergency Response Team, Mariner’s Hospital, Monroe County Coalition, Florida Keys Area Health Education Center, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Master Gardeners, Florida Keys Pediatric & Adolescent Center, Florida Keys Community College students, Center State Bank, American Osteopathic Association and the Islamorada Fire Department. The health department and mosquito control urges all residents and visitors to drain standing water weekly, no matter how seemingly small. Residents and visitors also need to use repellents when enjoying the Florida outdoors. For resources and information about mosquito control and the Zika virus in Monroe County, go to ZapZika.net.

Public Health in Action Photo Caption: August 26 Military D2D.jpg: The department hosted five door-to-door outreaches to educate the community about mosquito-borne illness prevention. Volunteers from the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, and the US Naval Branch Clinic gather for a photo prior to going out into the field to cover all military annexes in the Lower Keys. Over 400 military residences were reached.

About the Florida Department of Health The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

About the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District

The mission of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is to control the mosquito population using the most effective methods, techniques, equipment and insecticides; thus enhancing the quality of life for all residents and reducing the possibility of mosquito transmitted diseases.

Follow FKMCD on Twitter at @FlKeysMosquito and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, please visit www.keysmosquito.org.