DAYTONA BEACH, FL — The Lewis for Mayor Campaign today released a public health statement outlining how Dr. Kerry B. Lewis would respond to hantavirus concerns as Mayor of Daytona Beach, while staying within the legal authority of the mayor’s office and working in coordination with public health professionals.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease most commonly spread when people are exposed to infected rodents or their urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can become infected when contaminated particles are stirred into the air and breathed in. The Florida Department of Health also notes that hantavirus has been identified in rodents in Florida, though most human cases in the United States have historically occurred in the western U.S.
Recent national and international reporting on hantavirus has raised public concern. The CDC has stated that the current risk to the American public from the cruise-ship-linked outbreak remains extremely low, but the Lewis for Mayor Campaign believes Daytona Beach should use this moment to strengthen prevention, sanitation, public education, and emergency communication readiness.
“Public health is not about panic — it is about preparation,” said Dr. Kerry B. Lewis, candidate for Mayor of Daytona Beach. “As Mayor, I would not pretend to control agencies I do not legally control. But I would use every lawful tool available to coordinate with city staff, county health officials, the Florida Department of Health, local neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and community organizations to make sure Daytona Beach is informed, prepared, and protected.”
The Lewis plan would focus on five immediate areas:
1. Public Health Coordination
Lewis would work with the City Health Department, Volusia County health officials, and the Florida Department of Health to monitor any verified risks, share accurate guidance, and ensure city messaging follows professional public health recommendations.
2. Prevention and Public Education
The campaign would support clear public education on how hantavirus spreads, how to reduce rodent exposure, and how residents can safely clean areas where rodent droppings or nesting materials may be present. CDC guidance warns against stirring up dust from contaminated materials and recommends disinfecting affected areas before cleanup.
3. Sanitation and Rodent Control
Lewis would direct appropriate city departments, including Public Works and Code Enforcement, to focus on sanitation conditions that attract rodents, including illegal dumping, neglected properties, overflowing waste areas, vacant lots, and poorly maintained sites. This would include stronger inspections, faster response to resident complaints, and more visible enforcement where public health risks exist.
4. Community Partnerships
The Lewis for Mayor Campaign believes prevention must reach every neighborhood. Lewis would partner with neighborhood associations, churches, schools, local businesses, landlords, and nonprofit groups to distribute accurate information and encourage property maintenance, safe cleanup practices, and reporting of rodent problems.
5. Responsible Leadership and Transparency
Lewis pledged to provide regular public updates, avoid misinformation, and base decisions on verified health guidance. “People deserve facts, not fear,” Lewis said. “A mayor must communicate clearly, respond quickly, and stay inside the law while pushing every department to do its job.”
The campaign emphasized that the Mayor of Daytona Beach does not directly control state or federal public health agencies. However, Lewis said the mayor can still play a critical role by coordinating city departments, requesting briefings, improving public communication, supporting sanitation efforts, and making sure residents know where to report concerns.
“Daytona Beach needs leadership that understands both urgency and legal limits,” Lewis said. “We can protect our community without creating panic. We can clean up problem areas, educate residents, coordinate with health officials, and show the public that City Hall is paying attention.”
The Lewis for Mayor Campaign also called for a broader review of city sanitation, code enforcement, and public health communication procedures to ensure Daytona Beach is better prepared for future health threats, severe weather events, and neighborhood-level safety concerns.
“Protecting our community means serving with integrity,” Lewis said. “That is the kind of leadership Daytona Beach deserves.”
About Lewis for Mayor
Lewis for Mayor is the campaign of Dr. Kerry B. Lewis, candidate for Mayor of Daytona Beach. The campaign is focused on leadership, integrity, community, public safety, fiscal accountability, neighborhood revitalization, infrastructure improvement, and restoring trust between City Hall and the people.
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