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Health department prepares for a hot, hazardous summer
MEGAN SHANNON Staff Writer
The Lake County Health Department is gearing up for another summer and the health issues that come with it. According to Health Department Spokesperson Kevin Lenhart, many of the health issues associated with the summer season are prevalent all year long in Florida but reach their peak potential when the days are hot and muggy.

One of the top issues is the West Nile threat posed by mosquitos. County budgets statewide reflect how much the local governments invest in mosquito control and disease prevention. Lenhart said Lake County is no different. There were almost 15 cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in horses and two in alligators last year in Lake County.

Lenhart said cases are first seen in animals and then begin the spread to humans. The number of human cases could not be reported by press time. "There are cases in Florida every year. It is absolutely prevalent here and sometimes can be fatal in humans," he said.

To help prevent the contraction of West Nile diseases people should make sure to wear DEET bug spray and wear protective clothing at dusk and nighttime when mosquitos are most active. Lenhart said people should make sure their screens are in well repair and eliminate any place in and around the home that collects water, like flower pots, fountains, or bird baths. All of these places attract mosquitos. Food safety is another big summer issue in Florida. Lenhart said people often picnic or barbecue in the summer time but are not careful to keep their food at a safe temperature.

"The number of food poisoning cases peak in the summertime," he said. "People bring things like potato salad to a picnic but did not properly store it to keep it safe." Lenhart said people also do not wash their hands as frequently as they should when they prepare and eat food outdoors. He said hand sanitizer is a good alternative when warm water and soap are not available.

Drowning cases also peak in he summer, especially in Lake County where there are more than 1,000 named lakes, Lenhart said. He said there have already been two drowning cases this year in Lake County and summer has yet to begin. The Lake County Drowning Prevention Task Force has been very active in educating the public to make people aware of the risks. The last big summer health issue Lenhart said people should be aware of is skin safety. He said many people do not realize just how damaging going into the sun for even a brief period of time without protection can be.

"People need to be reminded to just be a little safer," he said. "They should always use a sun block with UV protection of 15 or higher even if only going out for a 15- minute period."