Hot Topic: Fight the Bite!
Mosquito season is here and public health officials in Georgia are again reminding residents that mosquitoes serve as vectors for and transmit a number of diseases, including West Nile Virus.
The spread of West Nile Virus has been unpredictable in the United States but trends throughout the country have shown an increase of cases of this virus. Most people who become infected with this virus do not become ill, but about 20 percent will develop West Nile fever, which features fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally a rash on the trunk of the body as well as swollen lymph glands. Symptoms begin 3-14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and when there is a mild disease, last only a few days.
One out of 150 infected people , however, will develop a severe infection known as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis. Symptoms of a severe infection can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. Symptoms of severe disease may last several weeks, although some brain and nerve damage may be permanent. There is no effective treatment for WNV infection other than supportive medical care.
To date, there are no vaccinations for humans, but vaccinations are available for horses. Horse owners should contact their veterinarians for information about this vaccine and plan to get their animals injected.
There are two basic prevention strategies for mosquitoes. They are: reducing the mosquito population and avoiding mosquito bites.
1. The best way to reduce the mosquito population is to drain sources of standing water beginning in early April. This will prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs and breeding.
• At least once or twice per week, empty water from flowerpots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels and cans.
• Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
• Throw away discarded tires, and items such as cans, bottles and other containers that could collect water.
• Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.
• Check around faucets and air conditioner units and repair leaks and eliminate puddles that remain for several days.
• Cover boats or store upside down or in a dry place.
• When possible, fill all holes in the trees on your property.
• Empty and store wading pools in a dry place when the swimming season is over. Cover large pools and check frequently to ensure against mosquito breeding. Ordinary concentrations of pool chemicals will not kill mosquito larvae. Keep pool water circulating and run filters April through October.
• Gambusia affinis (mosquito larvae eating fish) can be placed in closed system ponds. Originally introduced into California as early as 1922, they have been one of the most effective non-insecticidal and non-chemical methods of controlling mosquitoes for over eighty years. Mosquito fish do not lay eggs, but rather give birth to live young who are ready to begin the work of destroying mosquito larvae at once. Mosquitofish can eat mosquito larvae as fast as the larvae hatch from eggs, as many as 100 per day.
2. Personal protection (avoiding mosquito bites)
• Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in early evening, which are peak mosquito biting times.
• When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors.
• Place mosquito netting over infant carriers.
• Install or repair window and door screens.
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET when you're outdoors. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's directions for use as printed on the product. Alternatively, spray clothing with DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. If you spray your clothing, there is no need to spray repellent containing DEET on the skin under your clothing.
• Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children. Read the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly when applying to children. Other insect repellents include:
* Picaridin (KBR 3023) and
* Oil of lemon eucalyptus [active ingredient: p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant- based repellent, is also registered with the EPA.
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