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First human case of West Nile Virus in Walton County confirmed

Mosquito borne illness advisory issued Walton County Health Department has received confirmation of the county’s first human case of West Nile Virus.  The possibility that other individuals may become infected with the virus is extremely high.  Walton County has been under a Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory since July 2012 due to increased sentinel chickens testing positive for EEE/West Nile Virus.  North Walton County Mosquito Control and South Walton Mosquito Control are continuing to spray and the health department encourages the public...

Public forum on Walton’s biodiversity with Bruce Means Sept. 27

South Walton Community Council is hosting a public forum on the biodiversity of Walton County on Sept. 27. Guest speaker will be  D. Bruce Means, PhD, President and Executive Director Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy; Adjunct Professor Department of Biological Science, Florida State University. The title of Dr. Means presentation is Walton County Biodiversity: The Wonderful World of Its Animals, Plants, and Ecosystems. Learn details of Walton County’s diverse ecosystem. Professor Means’ presentation will focus on how the biodiversity of Walton County fits into...

Walton County weekly beach sampling results

Advisory issued for Holly Street Beach UPDATE Sept. 13, 2012: Advisory rescinded. There are no advisories issued at this time. Site Name Enterococci Water Quality SP-7 Holly Street Beach 48 Moderate SP-8 Eastern Lake Beach 24 Good SP-9 Inlet Beach Access 52 Moderate Walton County – The Walton County Health Department conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.  The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally...

Do not feed the dolphins, it is against the law

From the FWC – Officials say never feed dolphins By Stan Kirkland, FWC    Bottlenose dolphins are beautiful marine mammals. Tourists who travel to the Gulf Coast love to see them but dolphins should never be fed. Sometimes, unfortunately, they are. That’s the assessment of officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service. However, it is illegal to feed dolphins under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a federal law that’s been in effect...

License-free saltwater fishing fun Saturday, Sept. 1

Looking for something to do this Labor Day weekend? Get out on the water and experience some of Florida’s finest fishing. Saltwater recreational anglers can fish without a recreational fishing license on Sept. 1 as part of the state’s license-free fishing days. “Florida’s license-free fishing days are an excellent opportunity to share the fun, excitement and togetherness of a fishing trip with the entire family. This also is a great time for experienced anglers to introduce friends to the sport,...

Isaac brings heavy surf, storm surge to South Walton beaches

Heavy surf conditions expected throughout the day Tropical Storm Isaac brings heavy surf conditions along South Walton beaches on Aug 28, 2012. Below is a video of the Blue Mountain access and Ed Walline access in South Walton. Isaac’s storm surge is bringing heavy surf to dunes, sea walls and access stairs. The water is closed to the public. Swells are expected to rise throughout the morning, then start to taper off over the next few days....

Walton County weekly beach sampling results – health advisories issued

UPDATE: August 23: Health Advisory for Grayton Beach only August 22, 2012 – The Walton County Health Department conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. The water samples are being analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff,...