FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Joshua Coleman, Escambia CHD
(251) 867-5765

Dee Jones, DVM, ADPH
(800) 201-8208

The Escambia County Health Department announces that it has resumed its mosquito surveillance program for 2010. The Alabama program tests sentinel chickens for West Nile virus (WNV) and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

“With the many outdoor activities of spring and summer, it is important that residents make efforts to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes,” said Alabama Department of Public Health Environmentalist Josh Coleman. “Keep your mosquito repellent with you at all times when you are working or participating in recreational activities outdoors.”

West Nile virus, EEE and other mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes after they feed on birds. The same mosquitoes can then infect mammals, particularly humans and horses. Humans and horses can sometimes become seriously ill from the infection.

Transmission to humans and horses can be decreased by persons taking steps to avoid mosquitoes and by the use of WNV and EEE vaccine in horses. According to Associate State Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Dee W. Jones, although there is no vaccine available for humans, vaccination for horses is very important in preventing infection in these animals.

The Escambia County Health Department established a mosquito control program in 2008 that includes surveillance activities such as mosquito trapping and sentinel chicken surveillance. These activities are conducted to monitor for mosquito-borne diseases and track mosquito populations. Serum samples are taken periodically from the six sentinel chicken flocks and tested for the presence of WNV, EEE and St. Louis Encephalitis virus.

Mosquitoes that can spread these viruses to humans are commonly found in urban and suburban communities as well as rural, freshwater swamp areas. They will breed readily in storm sewers, ditches, waste lagoons and in artificial containers around one’s home. Health officials said it is important that homeowners do a careful inspection around their homes to be sure nothing holds water for longer than three days.

Larvicide briquettes are available free to the public for application in low-lying areas that retain water and ornamental ponds. Briquettes can be picked up at either of the Escambia County, Alabama, Health Departments. The Atmore office is located in the Escambia County Satellite offices on Highway 31 South. The Brewton office is located at 1115 Azalea Place adjacent to the Brewton Medical Center.

Mosquito-borne virus surveillance has been conducted throughout the state for the past five years. During that time, EEE, WNV, St. Louis Encephalitis virus and La Crosse Encephalitis virus have been detected. EEE can be more dangerous to people and other mammals than other mosquito-borne viruses, but the same mosquito prevention measures reduce exposures to both. The health department will continue to notify local officials of test results and recommend methods of prevention.

Since mosquitoes are commonly found throughout much of Alabama, health officials offer practical strategies for the mosquito season:

PERSONAL PROTECTION; CLOTHING AND AROMATICS

• 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.
• When possible, wear long sleeves and long pants.
• Avoid perfumes, colognes, fragrant hair sprays, lotions and soaps, which attract mosquitoes.

• Mosquito activity peaks at dusk, and again at dawn; restrict outdoor activity during these hours.
• Keep windows and door screens in good condition.
• Replace porch lights with yellow light bulbs that will attract fewer insects.
• Mosquitoes breed in standing water; 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/flower vases weekly.
• Replenish pet watering dishes daily and rinse bird baths twice weekly.
• Fill tree holes and depressions left by fallen trees with dirt or sand.
• Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito fish (fish which eat mosquitoes in their larval and pupal stages) or use larvicidal “doughnuts” which gradually kill mosquitoes.

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5/25/10