FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2006
Spring cleaning perfect time to reduce mosquito breeding grounds
COLUMBIA – You might have already heard that all-too-familiar buzz of mosquitoes on the warm breeze.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control reminds South Carolinians that spring cleaning should include looking around yards and neighborhoods for mosquito breeding sites before they set up housekeeping next to you.
“Check your property for low-lying areas and yard items that hold standing water, which is where mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs,” said L.A. Williams, director of DHEC’s Division of General Sanitation.
“Some mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus, which arrived in the United States in 1999 and was confirmed in South Carolina for the first time in 2002,” said Dr. Lena Bretous, M.D., epidemiologist for vector-borne diseases with DHEC’s Bureau of Disease Control.
“It is important to learn how to avoid mosquito bites to reduce our chances of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases, as well as to conduct mosquito prevention and control efforts year-round, especially during spring, summer and fall.”
Each year DHEC’s West Nile virus Web site reports data gathered from its Bureau of Labs, along with collaborative data contributed by the Department of Natural Resources and Clemson University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center. Altogether, 199 humans were tested as well as 157 birds, 100 horses and other mammals, and 77,301 mosquitoes. Of those, 39 birds from seven South Carolina counties had the virus. Thirty-six mosquito pools from six counties, including Aiken, Charleston, Darlington, Pickens and Richland carried the virus. A mosquito pool is a group of the same type of mosquito collected from the same area and tested together.
There was one positive case of West Nile virus illness in equines (horses, donkeys and mules) in 2005. Five humans tested positive from three counties including Charleston, Darlington and Richland. One death was directly attributed to the virus.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 2,949 human cases of West Nile virus illness reported and confirmed in the U.S. in 2005. Of those cases, 116 died.
Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they feed on infected birds. They then can transmit the virus to humans and animals while biting to take blood. But even in areas where mosquitoes do carry the virus, very few mosquitoes are infected.
“Most people infected with West Nile virus do not get sick, but if they do it can result in two types of illness,” said Dr. Bretous. “About 20 percent of those infected with the West Nile virus get a mild fever illness called West Nile fever, which lasts several weeks. People generally recover from West Nile fever, however sometimes recovery can take several weeks or months.”
“About one out of 150 people infected with the West Nile virus develops West Nile neuroinvasive disease. WNND is a more severe illness involving infection in the brain. People over the age of 50 are more at risk to develop WNND, which can cause death,” said Dr. Bretous.
Horses and dogs also can get mosquito-borne diseases. Check with your veterinarian about heartworm testing and preventive medicine for dogs. Vaccines are available to prevent West Nile virus as well as Eastern Equine Encephalitis in equines. Each vaccine should be administered in both spring and fall because South Carolina’s mosquito season is so long.
“DHEC will continue its collection and testing for the virus this year,” said Art Wozniak, director of DHEC’s Bureau of Laboratories. “Testing is designed to complement the numerous and well-established local mosquito control programs by providing information about which species should be targeted for control. We continue to focus our efforts on the best ways to monitor the virus in South Carolina.”
According to Wozniak, evidence of the virus in dead birds is often the first indication that WNV has been introduced into a new region, or that transmission risk is high. Dead bird submission for WNV testing has begun for the year. The public is encouraged to report dead birds to help monitor WNV activity. Public reports of dead birds are provided to local mosquito control agencies that use that information to target WNV surveillance and control efforts.
“Mosquito populations can be reduced by detecting and eliminating breeding sites,” said L.A. Williams, director of DHEC’s Division of General Sanitation. “Mosquito populations can emerge from very small amounts of water if that water is allowed to stagnate.
“Citizens can look for and eradicate typical breeding sites such as stagnant water in low areas, drainage ditches, tires, bird baths, buckets, gutters, boats, flower pots or any outdoor water-holding containers. People should pay particular attention to those areas and keep them dry. It is important to support local mosquito prevention and control efforts.”
Other items to check for during the spring spruce-up:
- Make sure screens on windows and doors are in good repair.
- Clean fallen leaves and other debris out of gutters and spouting.
- Keep birdbaths and pet bowls clean. Flush with clear water and clean out at least once per week.
- Stock ornamental ponds with minnows. Use appropriately labeled products to control mosquito larvae.
- Do not let water stand on swimming pool covers or other tarps covering outdoor items, such as woodpiles, boats, etc.
- Trim and maintain shrubs and grass.
In addition to preventing mosquitoes from breeding, Williams said people should practice personal protection measures to avoid mosquito bites:
- Stay inside at dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are most active.
- If you must be outside during these times, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Use appropriate insect repellents according to label directions.
For more information or assistance with mosquito control efforts, contact your local mosquito control program. For guidelines on submitting bird samples or more information on West Nile virus, visit: www.scdhec.gov/westnile.
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For more information:
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov