A health warning tonight for residents in Seminole County where some chickens have tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

The chickens tested positive for the potentially deadly virus in the areas of Geneva and Black Hammock, according to the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.

West Nile Virus is an illness people can catch from mosquitoes, and it rarely can be fatal.

The last documented case of West Nile in Seminole County was in 2003.

But health officials say three chickens in the Black Hammock area - and in Geneva - recently tested positive for West Nile.

“And it’s quite unusual, because we haven’t had that many hits over the last couple of years,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, Department of Health.

And that’s why health officials are urging people all over Central Florida to take steps to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, by eliminating any standing water around your home.

If you are outside, health officials say you should try to cover as much of your body as possible with clothing.  But if you can’t, they say you should use a bug spray like this.  This one here is specifically designed to repel mosquitoes that can carry the West Nile Virus.

“We just want to alert the community that it’s a possibility.  But the prevention they can do, making sure they wear the proper clothing, using DEET repellent, they can actually eliminate that possibility,” added Dr. Jett.

The chickens that tested positive for West Nile were part of Seminole County's sentinel chicken surveillance program; those chickens are placed in strategic locations around the county and are tested weekly for mosquito-borne illness. No human cases of West Nile were reported in Seminole County.

The discovery was made about three weeks ago, and mosquito control crews have since sprayed the Black Hammock and Geneva areas.
Health officials say so far no one in Central Florida has tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

"We work closely with mosquito control partners to increase spraying in Geneva and Black Hammock," said Seminole County Health Officer Dr. Swannie Jett. "There are simple measures that citizens can take to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, such as draining standing water."

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Drain and Cover to protect yourself from mosquitos

DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitos from multiplying.

  • Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
  • Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.
  • Empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week.
  • Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
  • Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER skin with clothing or repellent.

  • Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeves.
  • Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
  • Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective.

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out.

  • Keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

Symptoms of mosquito-borne illnesses may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and confusion.

People over 50 at higher risk of developing serious symptoms of West Nile Virus, and were advised to take special care to avoid mosquito bites.

This is a developing story. Check back and refresh this article for the latest updates.