Mosquito-borne illness advisory issued for Sarasota County

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Department of Health issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory for Sarasota County.

Health officials issued the advisory after three sentinel chickens tested positive for West Nile virus.

“The risk of transmission to humans has increased,” health officials wrote in a release. “Sarasota County Mosquito Control and DOH- Sarasota continue surveillance and prevention efforts.”

Officials want to remind residents to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitos. Residents should “drain and cover” anything on their property that could hold standing water, which becomes a breeding ground for mosquitos.

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