FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Rachel Beck, Baldwin CHD
(251) 947-3618

David Kelly, Washington CHD
(251) 847-2245

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

The Alabama Department of Public Health has confirmed three positive cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in horses located in Baldwin, Escambia, and Washington Counties.

Public Health receives positive case reports from the Alabama Department of Agriculture, and the agencies work together to identify areas of arboviral disease within the state. Previously, the Baldwin County Health Department announced that a sentinel chicken from the Elberta area tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). In June, EEE was detected in sentinel chickens in the Orange Beach area and in July in the Magnolia Springs area.

“With many people enjoying outdoor activities, it is important that residents take every effort to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes,” said Associate Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee W. Jones. “Keep your mosquito repellent with you at all times when you are working or participating in recreational activities outdoors.”

EEE, West Nile virus (WNV) 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 Jones, although there is no vaccine available for humans, vaccination for horses is very important in preventing infection in these animals.

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.

PERSONAL PROTECTION; REPELLENTS

• Follow the label instructions when applying repellents. Permethrin repellents are only for clothes – not for application on the skin.
• 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.
• Apply DEET 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.

PERSONAL PROTECTION; AROUND THE HOME

• 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.

The Baldwin and Escambia county health departments have established a mosquito control program that includes surveillance activities such as mosquito trapping and testing and sentinel chicken surveillance. Several Washington County municipalities are also involved in mosquito abatement activities. These activities are conducted to monitor for mosquito-borne diseases and track mosquito populations. Serum samples taken each week from the 16 sentinel chicken flocks are tested for the presence of EEE, WNV and St. Louis Encephalitis.

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.

In addition to surveillance activities, the department also works to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and conducts larvicide and adulticide applications. Larvicide is also available free to the public for application in low-lying areas that retain water and ornamental ponds.

“It is reasonable to assume that mosquito-borne viruses are likely circulating between mosquitoes and birds in all parts of Baldwin and Escambia counties,” Jones said. “Everyone should try to avoid exposure to mosquitoes.”

Eastern Equine Encephalites, WNV, St. Louis Encephalitis Virus, and La Crosse Encephalitis Virus have been detected periodically within various areas of the state for several years. Epidemiologists point out that EEE can be more dangerous to people and other mammals than other mosquito-borne viruses, but that 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.

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 any of the locations listed here.

Baldwin County Health Department Environmental Office
22251 Palmer St., Robertsdale
251-947-3618

Baldwin County Animal Control Center
15050 C.R. 49, Summerdale
251-972-6834

Baldwin County Health Department Clinic
312 Courthouse Square, Suite 29, Bay Minette
251-937-6935

Escambia County Health Department (Atmore Clinic)
8600 Highway 31 N. Suite 17, Atmore
251-368-9188

Escambia County Health Department (Brewton Clinic)
1115 Azalea Place, Brewton
251-867-5765

-30-

9/9/10