LANSING, Mich. — The Jackson County Health Department (JCHD) is encouraging all residents of Jackson County to take precautions when spending time outside to help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne viruses. With the July fourth holiday weekend and hot weather upon us, it is no secret that mosquito season is in full swing.
Michigan has had periodic outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses in the past which have included Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE), West Nile virus (WNV) and other California Encephalitis (CE) viruses. Heartworm, a mosquito-spread parasite, is becoming increasingly more common in Michigan now, which can affect both humans and their pets. Last year, Michigan experienced the worse outbreak of EEE since the early 1980’s resulting in aerial spraying of a natural insecticide across large swaths of the southern Michigan landscape, including Jackson County.
JCHD is once again conducting surveillance for mosquito borne disease in 2020 by trapping mosquitos at various sites around Jackson. As part of a Michigan Department of Health and
Human Services grant initiative, JCHD and other local health departments along the southern Michigan border are monitoring for the existence of two species of mosquitos responsible for the transmission of Zika Virus. At this point in time, the two targeted Aedes species of mosquito (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) have not been found naturally in Michigan. There have been past two occurrences in Wayne County due to imported used tires from Ohio. These location sites were quickly assessed and extermination measures taken. Other mosquito species responsible for West Nile Virus, EEE and Dog Heartworm are regularly collected. It is very important to seek medical evaluation and treatment if one suspects they are experiencing symptoms of any mosquito-borne virus disease and have been exposed to mosquito bites.
There are many ways to help prevent mosquito borne disease. These include avoidance, use of repellants and removal of mosquito habitat. It is always best to avoid the source of these viruses, mosquitoes, when you are in their habitat. As we all know, mosquito habitat is all around us, even in the urban areas. Key items that all residents can do to reduce their risk of mosquito borne diseases are:
· Wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants when hiking or walking in wooded/shrub areas
· Repair any screens on your windows or use air conditioning
· Using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered repellants such as those that contain DEET or Picaridin
· Protecting your babies and children by:
o Dressing them in clothing that completely covers arms and legs
o Use mosquito netting to cover strollers and baby carriers
· Once a week, empty, cover, turn over, or throw out anything that holds standing water.
· Tightly cover water storage containers like buckets, cisterns, and rain barrels so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) provides a list of recommendations on their website (https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html [cdc.gov] [linkprotect.cudasvc.com]) that provides additional details in the three main areas of Avoidance, Repellant Use and Habitat Control.
The Jackson County Health Department is committed to monitoring the mosquitoes that carry these viruses, and exercising all possible options to prevent outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses in Jackson County. However, the most critical prevention starts at home, and there are many things residents of Jackson can do to mitigate their risk.
Want to see more local news ? Visit the FOX47News Website.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Appleand Android
and
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.
Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
