West Nile Found in Baldwin County Chicken

Mosquito-borne viruses detected in Robertsdale.

by Katie Hammond

Published: Thu, September 20, 2007 - 3:37 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, September 20, 2007 - 3:44 pm CST

The Baldwin County Health Department says a chicken in Robertsdale has tested positive for the West Nile virus. Earlier this summer, Eastern Equine Encephalitis was found in sentinel chickens in Orange Beach and Loxley. Last week, a 6-month-old Gulf Shores boy died after contracting EEE.
Since mosquitoes are commonly found throughout much of Alabama, health officials offer practical strategies for the mosquito season:

PERSONAL PROTECTION; CLOTHING AND AROMATICS
o Wear loose fitting, light colored clothes to help prevent mosquitoes from reaching the skin and to retain less heat, making yourself less “attractive” to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors.
o When possible, wear long sleeves and long pants.
o Avoid perfumes, colognes, fragrant hair sprays, lotions and soaps, which attract mosquitoes.
PERSONAL PROTECTION; REPELLENTS
o Follow the label instructions when applying repellents. Permethrin repellents are only for clothes – not for application on the skin.
o When using repellents avoid contact with the eyes, lips and nasal membranes. Use concentrations of less than 10 percent when applying DEET – containing products on children
o Apply DEET repellent on arms, legs and other exposed areas but never under clothing.
o After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
o 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.
PERSONAL PROTECTION; AROUND THE HOME
o Mosquito activities peaks at dusk and again at dawn; restrict outdoor activity during these hours.
o Keep windows and door screens in good condition.
o Replace porch lights with yellow light bulbs that will attract fewer insects.
o Mosquitoes breed in standing water; empty all water from old tires, cans, jars, buckets, drums, plastic wading pools, toys, and other containers.
o Clean clogged gutters.
o Remove the rim from potted plants and replace water in plant/flower vases weekly.
o Replenish pet watering dishes daily and rinse bird baths twice weekly.
o Fill tree holes and depressions left by fallen trees with dirt or sand.
o Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito fish or use larvicide “doughnuts.”

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