Mosquito Bites: Advisory Issued, Tips Offered

After logging Hillsborough County's first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis since 2010, health officials have issued an advisory urging residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

  The Hillsborough County Health Department is warning local residents to take precautions against mosquitoes. The county has logged its first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a human since 2010. Although rare, this particular mosquito-borne illness can be quite serious, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The illness can cause swelling of the brain and may lead to severe complications, the CDC reports. Hillsborough’s most recent case was logged in the northwestern part of the county, a media release from the health department states. It is believed the bite that caused the disease occurred in early March. The patient, who isn’t being identified, is recovering, the health department said. That one case has prompted the…

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What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Should Texting While Driving Be Banned in Florida?

Are you in favor of such a law? Do you think it goes too far, or not far enough?

Florida could soon join 39 other states that have banned texting while driving. A bill filed last week by state Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, would make texting while driving a secondary offense under which a driver can receive a citation, but only after he or she is pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding or reckless driving, TBO.com reports. The bill doesn't prohibit all use of handheld devices while driving, as some state laws do, and cell phone calls would still be permitted. "If you are texting while driving, you are 23 times more likely to have an accident," Holder told TBO. "I think the timing is right. I think we are going to get something passed." Are you in favor of such a law in Florida? Do you think it goes too far, …

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