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MOSQUITOS AND DISEASE

MOSQUITOS AND DISEASE

 

Apart from the annoyance, the blood-feeding habits of adult mosquitoes also can occasionally result in life-threatening diseases. Malaria and yellow fever used to be common diseases in Kentucky but they have been successfully eliminated through widespread public health efforts.

 

Zika virus is a member of the Flaviviridae family and is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. It is related to other pathogenic vector borne flaviviruses including dengue, West-Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses but produces a comparatively mild disease in humans. Since 2007 Zika virus has caused several outbreaks in the Pacific, and since 2015 it further spread in the Americas. These were the first documented transmissions outside of its traditional endemic areas in Africa and Asia. Zika virus is considered an emerging infectious disease with the potential to spread to new areas where the Aedes mosquito vector is present. There is no evidence of transmission Zika virus in Europe to date.

 

Currently, viral encephalitides are the most common mosquito-borne illnesses transmitted to people. “Encephalitis” simply means an inflamation of the brain and can be caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria in addition to those transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquito-borne strains of viral encephalitis include eastern equine, St Louis, LaCrosse, and most notably, West Nile.

 

Birds and small mammals are important natural hosts for these viruses which are transmitted to humans and horses through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of viral encephalitis in humans can include fever, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, and convulsions.

 

West Nile virus has been found virtually throughout Kentucky in recent years. Even areas where mosquitoes do carry the virus, very few mosquitoes-much less than 1%- are infected. If an infected mosquito bites you, you have less than 1% chance of severe illness. The chances of being severely ill from any one mosquito bite are extremely small.

 

Canine Heartworm

Dogs are quite susceptible to canine heartworm, a nematode that can be transmitted by certain mosquitoes. Infected animals may develop severe circulatory problems and display symptoms such as coughing, labored breathing, and loss of vitality. Preventive drug treatment is available through your veterinarian.

 

Other Sources of Information

 

Our up and coming articles will provide you with the biology of mosquitos, preventive measures and remediation to protect you from the Zika virus during this period of Mosquito infestation in the New York/New Jersey area. Our business at Wildlife Busters is to eradicate from your house and business unwanted critters and insects. Contact Wildlifebsuters.com to sign up for our news- letters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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