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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Health officials in Jacksonville have issued a mosquito-borne illness after a case of St. Louis encephalitis has been confirmed.
The Florida Times-Union (http://bit.ly/1tNmFRT ) reports the alert was issued Wednesday for people living in Duval County. It is the first case of St. Louis encephalitis in Florida since 2003.
Officials say the 58-year-old woman who contracted the virus has fully recovered. It's unclear where she was bitten, though officials believe it was locally.
Symptoms for St. Louis encephalitis are similar to those for West Nile virus and include fever, headache, fatigue and dizziness.
Authorities advise draining water from outside items that may collect liquids, covering skin with clothing or repellent and covering doors and windows with screens to keep out mosquitoes.
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Information from: The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com
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