Spaghetti Mix Sold In Mississippi & Alabama Recalled
By
Mobile County Health Department
Published: Thu, September 13, 2007 - 1:17 pm
Last Updated: Thu, September 13, 2007 - 1:29 pm
Last Updated: Thu, September 13, 2007 - 1:29 pm
Mobile County Health Department urges people to take precautions to prevent mosquito-borne diseases
In light of the death Wednesday of a 6-month-old Baldwin County child ill with Eastern Equine Encephalitis, the Mobile County Health Department is again urging people to take precautions to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
With the risk of encephalitis-causing viruses spread by mosquitoes being highest from August through the first freeze in the fall, Dr. Bert Eichold, Health Officer, says people should assume that there are mosquitoes in their communities that are carrying such viruses.
The Health Department reported in July that sentinel chickens had tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis that month in the Grand Bay area (ZIP Code 36541) and the Eight Mile area (ZIP Code 36613). Since then, a batch of mosquitoes collected in west Mobile (ZIP Code 36693) tested positive for WNV and one human case of WNV in the same area was confirmed.
“Children under 15 and people over age 50 are at increased risk and are more susceptible to encephalitis,” Eichold said, “and people infected with the viruses that can cause encephalitis generally have either no symptoms or mild symptoms.”
Eichold offered the following information to people wanting to lower their risk of infection:
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.
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Mosquito-borne diseases
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.
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 water holders from beneath 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 the Health Department’s Vector Control at 690-8124.
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