Category: Health

Mosquito control has been an important goal in the United States for nearly a century now. As time has gone on and the government has taken a bigger and bigger role in preventing mosquito populations from swelling and spreading disease, a variety of laws have been passed. In addition to legislation though, there are organizations that have been given charge of mosquito control efforts. When taken as a whole, it presents a patchwork, but effective, effort to stop these pests from spreading.

Vector Control

The most common types of legislation for controlling mosquitos is called vector control. Vector control ordinances make laws regarding the displacement of “junk” (such as inoperable cars, rubber tires, etc. which often act as mosquito breeding grounds) and its proper disposal. These controls also state which agency is responsible for which areas, ensuring that everyone knows what their mosquito prevention responsibilities are.

FDA and EPA Controls

The Food and Drug Administration works side by side with the Environmental Protection Agency when it comes to reviewing mosquito control measures. Legislation defining the standards these agencies use often shifts, but the goal is to make sure that the methods used to control mosquito populations remain effective and safe not just for humans, but also for the rest of the environment. These organizations are the enforcement arm of the laws regarding what people can, and can’t, use to help control mosquitoes.

Reduction of Environment and Other Measures

Many pieces of legislation all over the United States focus on mosquito prevention. The theory behind these laws is that it’s easier to make sure that mosquitoes never show up in the first place than it is to get rid of them once they’ve started thriving. These laws require that certain types of plants be removed, and that certain procedures be taken to limit the spread and growth of the mosquito population. This can include:

• Eliminating cat tails and other high grasses.
• Providing proper drainage to eliminate standing water, which acts as a breeding ground.
• Regular aerial photographic sweeps to identify problem areas.
• Regular use of pesticides to kill mosquitoes and keep them from spreading.

There are a number of other powers given to local jurisdictions regarding mosquito and pest control. They can declare when an area is infested, and they have the authority to call in exterminators. These more heavy-handed powers, though, are only used in event of an actual emergency.

Cuts and Furloughs

Some of the biggest, headline-grabbing pieces of legislation regarding mosquito control in the United States is the fact that it’s being cut in many areas. Whether it’s forcing employees to take one day off a week, cutting down on the size of the workforce, or just being allocated fewer resources by the government, efforts to cut the cost of mosquito prevention have been put into law all over the country.

These legislative cuts have come at a time when concern for diseases like West Nile Virus are growing. With this rarely-fatal but often debilitating diseases spreading, mosquito control has never been more important.

Public Awareness and Other Efforts

In an effort to combat the strain that mosquito control places on the government, many local communities are asking residents to help out. From cleaning up yards to eliminating standing water, citizens working together can help, but only with 100% participation.

 

Many people view mosquitoes as harmless, but in many parts of the world these pests are more than a nuisance. Known as vectors, or disease carriers, these flying bugs feed on live blood and spread serious illnesses such as malaria, West Nile virus, equine encephalitis, and even canine heartworms.

Where They Are

Mosquitoes thrive in not only tropical and sub-tropical areas, but also in many arid regions. Warm, humid areas are the perfect breeding grounds, but there are also species that thrive in desert conditions such as New Mexico and Arizona. The Eastern United States was seriously afflicted with vector borne illness until the advent of DDT in the 1940’s.

If your plans include travel to the following regions, it would be wise to take precautions.

• North America
• South America
• Central Africa
• South Africa
• Asia

What Diseases They Spread

Mosquitoes carry a number of dangerous diseases. While few are prevalent in the U.S., many are common in highly-traveled parts of the world.

• Malaria
• Dengue Fever
• Encephalitis (human, equine, and canine)
• Yellow Fever
• West Nile virus
• Rift Valley Fever

Prevention

Avoiding mosquito bites is the best prevention there is, but how do you do this?

1. Steer clear of areas known to carry the infectious pests is key, so do not travel during an outbreak, or when mosquitoes are swarming.
2. Always use a mosquito net when sleeping.
3. Use insect repellents at all times when visiting an area with a high exposure rate.
4. Consider adding in alternative repellents such as Avon’s “skin so soft” line of lotions and menthol-based products.
5. Utilize citronella candles in outdoor areas.
6. Do not wear perfumes or scented deodorants and lotions, as they are known to attract insects.
7. Keep yourself covered up. Wear long sleeve shirts, pants, and even hats with netting to reduce the odds of being bitten and infected.
8. Purchase a bug zapper to keep outdoor and patio areas clear.
9. Practice source reduction by clearing away bodies of standing water.
10. Make sure road drains are free of leaves so they do not collect water.

Eradication Efforts

DDT, and DEET spraying has nearly eradicated mosquito problems in some areas of the Americas, particularly the northeastern states. However, there is heated debate about the impact of eradication efforts. Some scientists believe that other species of insects would fill the void if mosquitoes were gone. Others hypothesize that eradicating the bugs could lead to a hole in the food chain, which may have devastating effects on the environment. Some species of plants are dependent on mosquitoes to help in their pollination, and some species are the main source of food for other insects.

Impact on Ecosystem

Despite the nuisance they cause, mosquitoes certainly play a part in our ecosystem. The long-term use of pesticides could cause problems to both human and other species of plants and animals. Most states have legislation requiring those who use commercial grade pest repellents to undergo special training and certification prior to usage.

Eradication efforts over the years have already led to gene resistance in some strains of mosquito species. But scientists are working on ways to alter gene sequencing in some mosquito species to lower their susceptibility. We are also utilizing “mosaic” eradication methods that combine different pesticides to lower mosquito populations.

DEET spraying has been found to be highly effective in reducing mosquito populations, but not without a price. Side effects in humans range from headache to nausea. This controversy has led people to try more natural and holistic methods such as planting basil or geraniums that naturally contain citronella and geranella to repel the pests.

A more holistic solution, at least for small bodies of water, is Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. This natural bacterium thrives on mosquito larvae, but is safe for fish and humans. It is also available at most garden centers so it is easy to obtain.

 

When summertime rolls around, there’s just no avoiding the inevitable swarm of mosquitoes that will follow. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so if you are near large bodies of water, you know better than most how difficult it is to avoid the tiny blood sucking pests.

There are some areas of the United States that suffer from a greater density of mosquitoes than others, so if you are visiting those areas during the spring and summer months, it’s a good idea to include a can of insect repellent along with your luggage.

What Conditions Cause a Large Mosquito Population?

Mosquitoes breed by laying eggs into water, where they need some time to hatch. Fish eat mosquito eggs, so if there is a large fish population in a body of standing water, then the number of young mosquitoes that survive to adulthood is greatly reduced. The best place for a mosquito is a swampy place, an area that has lots of small, shallow pools of standing water that are too shallow for fish, and are nice and warm.

Where to Avoid?

There are some areas of the country that will naturally host more mosquitoes than others. Two of the most notorious are Houston, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana. Both cities are known for their hot and humid summers, and both are coastal cities with a lot of swampy areas that are conducive to mosquito breeding.

Florida comes in as another top state, due mostly to the humid climate, warm weather, and abundance of swampland. Some other cities that are renowned for their mosquito populations are Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. Other cities around the South that have a large mosquito swarm to contend with are Richmond, Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia over to Memphis, Tennessee then Atlanta, Georgia and also Birmingham, Alabama.

Aside from the South, there are areas of the upper Midwest with pretty serious mosquito issues of their own. States like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan have a distinct mosquito season. Minnesota in particular, the land of ten thousand lakes, has plenty of water for mosquitoes to breed in. On the plus side, the northern mosquitoes tend to be larger, and therefore easier to swat.

What Can I Do?

If you live in any of those areas, you are probably already well aware of the large amount of mosquitoes that will be a part of your life during the summer months. But there are some tips you can follow to cut back on the number that are near your home.

Look around your house for any standing pools of water, either ones that are drinking water for pets, or are created naturally by runoff and drainage, and try to keep those pools from standing too long. In the case of pets, empty out the water every day or two, and that will help keep the population to a minimum.

And when you go on vacation to one of these areas, just know what you are getting into. Take the proper precautions like having insect repellent with you, and find out from the locals what time of day is best to be out to avoid them altogether.

When you are looking at the top areas in the United States for mosquitoes, just keep in mind that areas that have lots of standing water will also have lots of mosquitoes. Temperature doesn’t matter all that much, but the warmer the weather, the longer the season for mosquitoes.

Keep insect repellent handy, and you’ll be fine whether you’re in the desert of Las Vegas or in the swamps of Florida and Louisiana.

 

Although we live in an affluent country and have access to reasonable health care, we are not immune from what many developing nations struggle with daily: mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes are dangerous primarily because they carry multiple strains of diseases, breed quickly, and can overwhelm an unprepared community. However, local communities can implement strategic management programs to eliminate mosquitoes safely and effectively.

Public mosquito control isn’t new. In fact, total mosquito control budgets top $200 million in the U.S. And new methods are being tested every day. Read on to find out how your community can start managing this tough pest.

A Word About Safety

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ensures regulations put forth by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act are followed during both public and private mosquito control initiatives. While new mosquito treatments are being tested, the EPA makes sure the public’s safety is weighed against the effectiveness of each technique.

Area-Wide Source Reduction

Source reduction is usually a good first step. Community-wide mosquito control focuses on eliminating mosquito breeding points – stagnant ponds, improper drainage, and other water sources. Communities will often fill in low-lying areas that tend to collect water, correct drainage issues, or plant natural mosquito predators in local ponds and streams. This method of mosquito control is referred to as biological control, or biocontrol, and is a popular choice among residents who may be anxious about chemical control.

Some of the fish that are natural predators to mosquitoes and their larvae are:

• Bass
• Bluegill
• Atlantic char
• Catfish
• Fathead minnows
• Trout
• Goldfish

There are also certain parasites and pathogens that may be introduced in order to decimate mosquitoes, their larvae, and eggs. Dragonflies, birds, certain types of lizards, and geckos can also be introduced, although it is extremely important for extensive research to be done so that the introduction of different species does not have an adverse effect on an area’s natural ecosystem.

There are other natural ways to eradicate mosquitoes, such as infecting them with mosquito-specific diseases. One method of mosquito control is to drop a soil bacterium that occurs naturally into large areas inhabited by mosquito larvae, known as Bacillus thuringiensis. The larvae eat the bacterium and die.

Other biocontrol methods are currently being researched and tested.

Chemical Control of Mosquitoes

When biocontrol does not effectively eliminate large numbers of mosquitoes, or counties feel that there is an imminent threat of mosquito-spread disease, they use chemical methods of mosquito prevention. This can include a variety of measures, from spraying breeding areas with insecticide, to treating aquatic plants where mosquitoes may breed.  The spray manifests as a very small aerosol droplet that is designed specifically to attack adult male mosquitoes. There have been many questions as to whether or not these sprays are harmful to other insects and animals, and residents that are sensitive to pesticides and other sprays can ask that the vicinity or roadsides where they live not be sprayed.

Other Methods

Aside from biocontrol and spraying, communities have been known to utilize mosquito traps, bug zappers, and oil drips (which produce a thin layer of oil on top of water).

Those in charge of area-wide mosquito control continue to research the insect with hopes to produce even more effective mosquito control for years to come.

Mosquito Control Boards

The decision on how local communities treat mosquitoes is usually made at a local government level, and includes county or district health officials and the mayor. They will also often ask that people take precautions such as wearing long sleeves, using insect repellants, and removing areas of stagnant water from around their own homes and property.

Communities can combat the infestation of mosquitoes by observing some of the following:

• Organize a community mosquito watch board
• Include and engage all necessary individuals from government agencies and businesses
• Raise public awareness
• Prepare and educate communities about pesticide spraying

A community watch board is perhaps the key component to eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. These boards are typically responsible for making sure that surrounding businesses, schools, and agencies eliminate potential mosquito breeding habitats, and for keeping track of public health issues associated with mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.

Working together, local communities can protect citizens from mosquitoes. Learn more about how the U.S. legislates mosquito control and the price of mosquito control for many citizens.

 

Many people have wondered whether or not mosquitoes have the capability of transmitting HIV, which is also known as the virus that causes AIDS. It is a common belief that if a mosquito bites a person who is infected with HIV, the mosquito will become a carrier of the virus and will be able to infect other people who are bitten. To properly answer the question of whether or not mosquitoes can transmit AIDS, it is important to learn a little bit more about the HIV virus and its effects on mosquitoes.

The HIV Virus

HIV, which stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, can be transmitted the following ways:

• Semen or vaginal fluids exchanged during sexual activities
• Receiving blood from an infected person during a blood transfusion
• An infected mother passing the virus to her child during childbirth
• An infected mother breastfeeding her child
• Sharing needles with an infected person

Even though the origin of the virus is still debatable, many scientists believe that it was first transmitted to humans from bites caused by African monkeys that were infected with the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus. It is believed that this virus from the monkeys mutated into HIV after entering a person’s bloodstream. Similar viruses affecting cats and other animals have been found, but these viruses are exclusive to those specific animal species and cannot be transmitted to humans. No such viruses have been found in mosquitoes or other types of insect species.

How Mosquitoes Process HIV

It is true that a mosquito can pick up a small trace of the HIV virus if it bites an infected person. However, the virus is not able to survive and thrive inside of the mosquito because of the digestion process. Enzymes in the stomachs of mosquitoes quickly process any traces of the virus and eliminate it from the mosquito’s system. This means that the AIDS virus is essentially food for the mosquito and is able to be digested quickly along with the rest of the blood meal. The virus does not have enough time to remain in the mosquito’s system and become harmful to the mosquito or any other person who may be bitten.

Flying Needles Myth

Some people believe that mosquitoes are essentially flying needles that are capable of injecting a person with the AIDS virus. Even if the AIDS virus happened to be inside of a mosquito’s system, it would not be injected into a person who was bitten. The feeding tubes of mosquitoes are only designed to draw in blood and are not capable of injecting any contents. Mosquitoes do emit saliva before biting, but they do not contain HIV in their salivary glands. The feeding tubes and salivary glands are two completely separate systems in mosquitoes.

Other Diseases Caused by Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting other harmful diseased to people. Unlike HIV, mosquitoes are able to pick up other types of parasites and transmit them to humans. These parasites are processed in the salivary glands of mosquitoes and can easily be spread through biting. Other diseases and illnesses commonly transmitted by mosquitoes include:

• Malaria
• Yellow fever
• Rift Valley fever
• West Nile Virus
• Encephalitis

Contracting any of these diseases or illnesses can cause serious medical issues. A person who has been bitten by a mosquito and starts to develop symptoms of any of these ailments should seek medical treatment immediately.

In short, mosquitoes cannot transmit the AIDS virus to humans. It is also true that humans cannot get AIDS from any other type of insect bites. This does not mean that mosquitoes are harmless. Mosquito bites can still make a person sick, so it is best to take proper precautions in order to avoid the problems brought on by these pests.

 

Every year, millions of people die from mosquito-borne diseases. Many people receive severe skin irritations and even allergic reactions from mosquito bites and their saliva. Mosquitoes are the principal carriers of different types of encephalitis that are extremely harmful to humans and animals.

Individuals who have been bitten by an infected mosquito will have symptoms appearing five to 15 days after the bite. Medical attention should be sought if any two of the following symptoms appear:

• Fever above 103 degrees F
• Severe headaches that do not go away
• Blurred vision, tremors, disorientation, muscle aches, pain or neurological ticks
• Vomiting or nausea

EEE – Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Infected mosquitoes spread Eastern Equine Encephalitis to horses and humans. It is one of the most serious of all encephalitis viruses because it attacks the central nervous system. Once the virus has affected the nervous system, it can cause acute health problems and even death. EEE is found in South, North and Central America as well as in the Caribbean.

EE encephalitis has a difficult cycle of life. It starts with infected birds that the mosquitoes feed on, and then the mosquitoes become infected and are carriers of the disease. The mosquitoes then transfer the encephalitis when they bite horses, humans and other mammals. After being bitten by an infected mosquito, a human may have mild flu symptoms, fever, sore throat and a headache.

More severe cases would affect the central nervous system, create a sudden high fever, extreme headache, and quickly lead to seizures and coma. Encephalitis can cause brain damage quickly. Half of the patients with severe Eastern Equine Encephalitis die, and those that do survive may need lifetime care. There is no vaccine available for humans, but there is one available for horses.

SLE – St. Louis Encephalitis

St. Louis Encephalitis is also transmitted through infected birds to man and other animals. It is found throughout the United States, most commonly along the Gulf of Mexico. Florida has seen several epidemics of St. Louis Encephalitis.

The very young and the elderly are more susceptible then those people between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. More than 4,000 cases of confirmed St. Louis Encephalitis were reported in the United States in the years 1964-1998. The symptoms are much the same as in EEE and there is no vaccine for humans. The last fatal case of SLE was reported in 2003 in Louisiana.

LAC – LaCrosse Encephalitis

LaCrosse Encephalitis is not as common as EEE or SLE and occurs only in the states east of the Mississippi. It is more prevalent in the Appalachian region. LaCrosse, Wisconsin first reported a woodland mosquito as the carrier that infected small mammals and humans. Children younger than 16 are usually affected and no is vaccine available.

WEE – Western Equine Encephalitis

California recognized the first case of WEE in 1930 when it showed up in a horse. It is usually found west of the Mississippi, parts of Mexico and Canada. Birds and small mammals are the typical hosts for this type of encephalitis. Mosquitoes carry the disease to humans and other animals. Three cases have affected chicken flocks in Arizona, but no human cases have been reported since 1964. There is no vaccine for humans, but there is one for horses.

 

Elephantiasis is a disease carried from tropical worms by infected mosquitoes. The infection is also known as lymphatic filariasis. This disease has been around for many centuries, and historically has shown cases in regions all around the world where disease-carrying parasitic insects are found. These locations include South America, the West Indies, Central Africa, Spain, the Mediterranean and many islands in the South Pacific region of the world. Elephantiasis has also been referenced as morbus herculeus, elephant leg, Barbados leg and myeolymphangioma. People affected with this disease in the world ranges over 110 million.

Causes and Symptoms

Previous medical research shows 90% of all elephantiasis cases are carried by the infected roundworm Wuchereria bancrofti, where humans are the only capable host. There are three mosquito species that carry the bancrofti infection: Culex, Aedes and Anopheles. The infection is transferred by mosquito during feeding sessions on humans. In the process, parasitic larvae are introduced to the lymphatic channel. Time passes and they are allowed to mature on or near the lymph nodes of the body. It takes a few months to a year for a worm to reach adulthood and its length at that stage is estimated to be 1-4 inches long.

Most symptoms humans experience are due to the blockage of the lymphatic system from the fluids adult worms produce in the body. Repeated episodes of vomiting, swells, shaking chills, and pain are typical symptoms. Abscesses can form in lymphatic vessels, or on the surface of the skin. Long-term infection leads to lymphedema and elephantiasis in the legs, arms and reproductive organs. The disease is more intense to travelers who have never been exposed to lymphatic filariasis than it is to natives of tropic areas.

Diagnosis

The guaranteed method of determining infection is by detecting the parasite itself. Microscopic blood examinations may reveal the microfilariae, or larva of the parasitic worm in a person’s stream. Sometimes, people that have been infected do not carry any microfilariae. The best time to have blood examined is during the evening when there are more microfilariae in the blood stream. Detecting fully grown worms can be difficult because of their depth within the body’s lymph nodes or system.

Treatment

The most popular drug for treating lymphatic filariasis is DEC, or known in the United States as Hetrazan. It comes in tablet form and is taken twice a day. When the drug is administered slowly, it injures the adult worms and kills the larvae quickly. To fully remove the adult worms, many treatment sessions are required. The side effects of DEC are due to the body’s reaction to the dead parasites rather than the medication itself. Headache, nausea, itching and joint pain are all common side effects of treatment. Most effects will subside with the continuance of the medication.

Ivermectin is another popular treatment for elephantiasis, for it is an excellent destroyer of parasitic larvae, but studies are still being completed on its effect on adult worms. Ivermectin is usually taken alongside DEC to kill the adult worms, with the same side effects seen. Surgery is the most extreme form of treatment for elephantiasis. It allows the removal of dead worms and draining swelled areas.

Prevention

Since elephantiasis and lymphatic filariasis cases are mostly found in the tropic and sub tropic regions of the world, many preventative actions can be taken to stop the spread of this disease. Before traveling abroad, taking doses of DEC or Ivermectin will kill any larvae found on an infected mosquito during a human feeding session.

Insecticides, repellants, and protective clothing and bed nets are all methods of keeping mosquitoes away from the body. One of the most cost effective ways of keeping mosquito populations low is by the reduction of standing water. Open pales, buckets, and pools where rainwater is allowed to collect are used by adult mosquitoes as breeding grounds to lay eggs. Emptying these collections of standing water regularly minimizes the chances of allowing mosquitoes to fully develop, thus helping fight the spread of elephantiasis.

It is recommended to visit a travel advisor or doctor before venturing to any tropical region where the disease is found.

 

Richard Curtis, known for many films, including, “Love Actually,” “Notting Hill,” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary”, among many others, has produced a movie about Malaria to garner attention about the suffering this disease can cause.

The seed for the idea of the movie was planted when Curtis traveled to Ethiopia in 1985 and was horrified by famine and poverty in the country. He wanted to raise awareness about malaria and make people in developed countries pay attention to the seriousness of the disease.

At first he thought he could raise money to tackle the issue, but he believes in bringing about change through protest, so the idea of the movie was born. Curtis brings attention to the movie by using well known actresses, Hilary Swank, who plays a rich American in the movie and Brenda Blethyn, a British actress who plays a working class woman.

These two unlikely women are drawn together when they have to travel to Africa. Both their sons are in Mozambique and have contracted malaria. This common bond unites them. They become united in their desire to do good and work towards eradication of malaria.

The movie is filmed in North Carolina and South Africa. It’s 90 minutes long and combines the beauty of the African landscape with the grief of the theme of the movie. Curtis’s hope is that the movie will raise awareness to support complete eradication of deaths from malaria by the year 2020.

Malaria is a Killer

For Westerners who are comfortable financially and travel to Africa, contracting malaria is a serious situation, but it is treatable. On the other hand, for a huge number of children, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is a killer. The tragedy is that the disease is preventable. Malaria kills more than a million people each year and seventy five percent are children under age five.

Malaria Prevention

With financial support and backing malaria can be wiped out. Funds are needed for a number of preventative methods, spraying insecticides and teaching people to use protective netting. Education and treatment are available, but funding is needed,and public awareness must be raised to combat deaths due to malaria.

Malaria Trial Vaccine

Reports of a landmark trial vaccine in 2011 demonstrated that of the 6000 infants and toddlers aged 5 to 17 months who received the vaccine, 56% of them did not contract the most serious type of malaria. Scientists are hopeful that the vaccine will be ready for distribution in 2015.

World Health Organization Statistics on Malaria

According to the World Health Organization, nearly half the world’s population is at risk for malaria. Many countries are learning to control malaria, and malaria-related deaths are decreasing. This is due in part to wide distribution and education regarding protective netting. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, where data is difficult to gather, some countries seem to be showing an increase in deaths related to malaria. Malaria control is not guaranteed and is not always easy to maintain.

Traveling to Malaria Infected Countries

For travelers to countries that are still reporting cases of malaria, it is important to know the facts. Every year approximately 1,500 Americans returning from Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, India and many sub-tropical regions are diagnosed with malaria. So it’s important for these travelers to take precautions.

CDC Website on Malaria Prevention

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website is a useful source of information on malaria prevention. The CDC will recommend if you need to take malaria prevention medication, depending on where you are traveling. It is believed that high traffic tourist areas in some countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica etc. do not have a high risk of malaria.

If you know that you will be traveling to a high risk area, be sure to take the preventative medication. Also add to your packing list: long-sleeved shirts, insect repellent, flying insect spray, and even a bed net, depending on the type of accommodations.

With the airing of the movie “Mary and Martha”, hopefully the devastating death toll, from malaria on young children in sub-Saharan Africa, will become a major concern in world politics.