July 6, 2016

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ENCOURAGES KIDS TO BE A HERO AND 'SPILL THE WATER!' TO FIGHT MOSQUITOES

Contact:
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NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
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Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health is educating Florida’s youth on mosquito bite prevention and enlisting their help in the fight against mosquito-borne illnesses in a new campaign that encourages kids to “Spill the Water!”

“Apart from being an everyday nuisance, it is important for children and young adults to know mosquitoes can carry dangerous illnesses like West Nile Virus and Zika,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip. “While we have yet to see a locally transmitted case of Zika, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect ourselves from mosquito bites as we enter the peak mosquito season and I am excited to engage Florida’s youth on this emerging health issue.”

With the help of state and local partners, the department will educate Florida kids on the dangers of mosquito-borne illnesses, teach them to spill standing water around their home this summer and cover up their skin with clothing and repellant before they head outside to play. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one teaspoon or one bottle cap of water so eliminating sources of standing water is critical to keep mosquitoes from multiplying.

To help educate Florida’s kids and involve them in the fight against mosquito-borne illnesses, the department has launched SpillTheWater.com. With resources tailored to students, parents and teachers, visitors to the site will find:

• A 30-second PSA briefly explaining how kids can protect themselves and save summer from mosquitoes;
• Activity sheets for pre-k, elementary, middle and high school levels;
• A Teacher Tool filled with brain teaser exercises that correspond to activity sheets;
• Important information for parents about how to protect their kids from mosquito bites; and
• Resources for young adults to volunteer to help ‘Spill the Water!’ in their community.

For a complete list of resources, visit SpillTheWater.com. To learn more about mosquito-borne illnesses in Florida, visit FloridaHealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.