West Nile virus in the USA: Florida

Florida Health officials reported 2 cases of West Nile virus infection in Bay and Escambia counties in the week ending 19 August 2023.

All of the state of Florida is currently under a mosquito-borne illnesses advisory.

West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites and can cause a flu-like illness, sometimes leading to severe or life-threatening disease.

Advice for Travellers

Travellers to Florida should be advised to:

• practice mosquito bite avoidance measures at all times, especially at dusk and dawn during peak transmission times and when outbreaks are known to be occurring
• seek medical advice if they develop a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms with fever following travel to a risk area

There is no vaccine against West Nile virus.

Note for blood donors: those who have recently travelled to an area with West Nile virus transmission may need to wait or be tested for the virus before their blood is accepted.

• see the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service website for further details

For further information see TRAVAX West Nile Fever page.