Did someone say West Nile Virus?
mosquitoes???!!!!!! (yikes!)
On July 8, 2013, the NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene announced in a press release, the West Nile Virus had been detected in NYC mosquitoes. The mosquitoes were collected from the Pomonok neighborhood in Queens and the Huguenot Beach neighborhood on Staten Island.
Although no human cases of West Nile Virus have been detected this season, the Dept. of Health presently advises New Yorkers to take simple precautions to protect against mosquito exposure and bites.
Did you know in addition to West Nile Virus, mosquitoes can also transmit Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus? (I surely did not!). About 5-10 cases are reported each year in the United States. Since 1971, 5 cases have been reported in NY State and all 5 cases resulted in death. Not everyone infected with West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephilitis (EEE) Virus will become ill or even have symptoms but EEE in severe cases is much more serious and can result in death.
Generally, when people think of mosquitoes, they think of pesky blood suckers that result in the itchies (in my case, the ultra extreme itchies! OMG!!). Itchies or not, mosquitoes can carry viruses and transmit disease. It’s definitely easier to practice simple steps to avoid being bitten at all. Don’t ya think?
Here are some steps to avoid mosquito exposure:
- Use of insect repellant containing DEET or repellant tested to repel mosquitoes (as per manufacturer instructions)
- Wearing long sleeves and pants to cover skin while outdoors
- Avoiding areas with standing water such as flower pots, water barrels, buckets, kiddie pools and other containers with water (mosquitoes are attracted to water)
- Ensuring windows and doorways have intact screens to prevent mosquitoes from flying through
Mosquito season is definitely here. What do you do to avoid mosquito bites?
In case you weren’t so lucky and became a mosquito’s meal, here’s an article with some tips for dealing with the itchies!
Here’s to not getting bitten!