By Mobile County Health Department
Published: Mon, October 15, 2007 - 4:14 pm
Last Updated: Mon, October 15, 2007 - 4:16 pm
Dr. Bernard Eichold, Mobile County Health Officer, reports that a sentinel chicken in the Gulfcrest area (ZIP Code 36521) has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and that aggressive surveillance and control activities are ongoing.Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/5967/
According to Mobile County Health Department vector control personnel, this is the third known occurrence this year of the mosquito-borne virus. The first was in the Grand Bay area (ZIP Code 36541), and the second was in the Eight Mile area (ZIP Code 36613). To date, there have been no dead birds or mosquitoes in Mobile County that have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), another mosquito-borne virus.
Eichold says that with outdoor activities, it is extremely important that residents take every effort to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes and that they should keep mosquito repellent with them at all times when working or taking part in recreational activities outdoors.
EEE and WNV are transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird. Mosquitoes can spread these viruses by feeding on the blood of infected birds and then biting another host animal or mammal such as a horse or human. Although humans and horses can become ill from the infection, the diseases cannot be spread from people or horses. The likelihood of transmission to humans and horses can be decreased by personal mosquito avoidance and the use of an EEE and WNV vaccine in horses. There is no vaccine available for humans, health officials said.
“Humans with encephalitis often have symptoms of high fever, severe headaches, confusion, and seizures that are severe enough to require medical attention,” Eichold says.
Eichold advises all horse owners to have their animals vaccinated against WNV and EEE and to call their veterinarian immediately if signs of encephalitis are observed. Clinical signs vary, but they include depression, staggering, uncoordination, stupor, hyperexcitability, paralysis, and coma.
EEE can be more dangerous to people and other mammals than other mosquito-borne viruses. However the same mosquito-prevention measures reduce exposures to all such viruses. Mosquito bites can be treated with topical agents such as calamine and menthol lotions. Cortisone creams and oral antihistamines are available as over-the-counter medications that can reduce itching. Children with secondary infections resulting from bites should be treated by a physician.
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For nearly 20 years, the Mobile County Health Department’s Vector Control Department has been
monitoring encephalitis in sentinel poultry flocks strategically placed throughout the county to detect the presence of viruses carried by mosquitoes. Additionally, mosquitoes are trapped throughout Mobile County and tested for EEE, WNV, and St. Louis Encephalitis.
The most effective and economical method to reduce adult mosquitoes is to reduce their emergence from as many breeding sites as possible with larviciding treatments. Inspectors regularly check areas with standing water for mosquito breeding and treat as necessary using both portable and truck mounted equipment. The inspectors also respond to service requests from residents to inspect backyard areas as well as to treat identified breeding areas and to provide education. Due to large volumes of calls received daily, service requests are responded to on a first-call, first-served basis and may take a few days to be addressed.
Each day, the Vector Control Department evaluates surveillance data, inspection reports, and service requests in order to target 10-12 routes out of a total of 50 routes for nightly (Monday-Friday) mosquito control and spraying. When necessary, weekday morning, weekend, and holiday spraying is provided. Spray trucks used for these operations dispense low volumes of aerosol insecticides and are equipped with a system that sprays the correct amount of insecticide for the speed of the vehicle. This allows for the proper application of insecticide at variable speeds.
People taking part in outdoor activities such as picnics, concerts in the park, or playing at the playground should take extra precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Mosquito activity peaks at dusk and again at dawn; People should restrict outdoor activity during these hours in heavily infested areas.
The Vector Control Department suggests taking the following precautions:
Clothing and aromatics
Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes to help prevent mosquitoes from reaching the skin and to retain less heat, Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors.
When possible, wear long sleeves and long pants.
Avoid perfumes, colognes, fragrant hair sprays, lotions, and soaps, which attract mosquitoes.
Repellents
Follow the label instructions when applying repellents. Permethrin repellents are only for clothes, not skin.
Products containing DEET, Picaridin, and Oil of Eucalyptus are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
When using repellents, avoid contact with eyes, lips, and nasal membranes.
Apply repellent on arms, legs, and other exposed areas, but never under clothing. After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
Citronella candles and repellents containing citronella can help, but their range is limited. Herbals such as cedar, geranium, pennyroyal, lavender, cinnamon, and garlic are not very effective.
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Around the home
Mosquito activity peaks at dusk and again at dawn. So, restrict outdoor activity during these hours.
Keep windows and door screens in good condition.
Replace porch lights with yellow light bulbs, which will attract fewer insects.
Mosquitoes breed in standing water. So, empty all water from old tires, cans, jars, buckets, drums, plastic wading pools, toys, and other containers.
Clean clogged gutters.
Remove the rim from potted plants and replace water in plant vases weekly.
Replenish pet watering dishes daily and rinse birdbaths weekly.
Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating fish.
Fill tree holes and depressions left by fallen trees with dirt or sand.
Rake and bag or mulch fallen leaves (especially sturdy magnolia leaves), which can curl and hold water-allowing mosquitoes to breed. Do not blow leaves into the storm drain or put grass clippings into drainage ditches. Clogging the drains and ditches will only add new mosquito breeding sites close to your home.
For more information, call Vector Control at 690-8124.
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Learn more about the impact of all types of encephalitis, from the people it has touched. Visit the website of Encephalitis Global, Inc., where survivors, caregivers and loved ones share information and support, every day.