INVERNESS, Fla. — Health officials are urging Citrus County residents to use mosquito repellent and dumping standing water after several sentinel chicken flocks tested positive for West Nile virus infection.

Several sentinel chicken flocks have tested positive for West Nile virus infection and the risk of transmission to humans has increased. 

Citrus County Mosquito Control and the county Health Department are reminding people to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to try to limit exposure to them.

West Nile virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile Virus (WNV) in people.

About 1 in 5 people who are infected by WNV develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 in about 150 develop a serious, sometimes fatal illness, according to the agency.

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, they say you should "drain and cover."

DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes 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.

Clothing - Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.

Repellent - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.

Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, and IR3535 are effective.

Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.