The Alabama Department of Public Health has confirmed four positive
cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in horses located in Dallas
County. There have been additional reports of cases in horses in Elmore
and Montgomery counties; however, laboratory confirmation has not been
performed.
In Baldwin and Mobile counties, four sentinel chickens have tested
positive for West Nile virus. The three sentinel chickens that tested
positive for WNV in Baldwin County were located in Gulf Shores, Magnolia
Springs and Perdido Beach. One sentinel chicken was positive for WNV in
the BelleFontaine area of South Mobile County.
Public Health receives positive case reports from the Alabama
Department of Agriculture and Industries, and the agencies work together
to identify areas of arboviral disease with in the state.
According to Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health Veterinarian, the
significance of positive horses and chickens means the virus is present
in the mosquito population. He warns that the same mosquitoes that
infect animals pose a risk to humans. The confirmation of viral activity
is very common in the summer and fall months. Positive case counts in
the state vary from year to year based on mosquito populations. The
virus can only be spread through the bite of a mosquito and not from and
animal.
“With many people enjoying outdoor activities, it is important that
residents take every effort to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes,”
said Jones. “Keep your mosquito repellent with you at all times when you
are working or participating in recreational activities outdoors.”
Mosquitoes transmit EEE, WNV and other mosquito-born viruses after
they feed on birds. The same mosquitoes can then infect mammals,
particularly humans and horses, which can become seriously ill from the
infection.
Transmission to humans and horses can be decreased by persons taking
steps to avoid mosquitoes and by the use of WNV and EEE vaccine in
horses. According to Jones, although there is no vaccine available for
humans, vaccination for horses is very important in preventing infection
in these animals.
Since mosquitoes are commonly found throughout much of Alabama,
health officials offer practical strategies for the mosquito season:
Clothing and aromatics
•Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes to help prevent mosquitoes
from reaching the skin and to retain less heat, making yourself less
“attractive” to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark
colors.
•When possible, wear long sleeves and long pants.
•Avoid perfumes, colognes, fragrant hair sprays lotions and soaps, which attract mosquitoes.
Repellants
•Follow the label instructions when applying repellents. Permethrin
repellents are only for clothes –not for application in the skin.
•When using repellents, avoid contact with the eyes, lips and nasal
membranes. Use concentrations of less than 10 percent when applying
DEET-contatining products on children.
•Apply DEET repellent on arms, legs and other exposed areas but never under clothing.
•After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
•Citronella candles and repellents containing citronella can help,
but their range is limited. Herbals such as cedar, geranium, pennyroyal,
lavender, cinnamon and garlic are not very effective.
Around the home
•Mosquito activity peaks at dusk and again at dawn; restrict outdoor activity during these hours.
•Keep windows and door screens in good condition. Replace porch lights with yellow light bulbs that will attract fewer insects.
•Mosquitoes breed in standing water; empty all water from old tires,
cans, jars, buckets, drums, plastic wading pools, toys and other
containers.
•Clean clogged gutters.
•Remove the rim from potted plants and replace water in plant/flower vases weekly.
•Replenish pet watering dishes and rinse bird baths twice weekly.
•Fill tree holes and depressions left by fallen trees with dirt or sand.
•Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito fish (ones that eat mosquitoes
in their larval and pupae stages) or use larvacidal “doughnuts” which
gradually kill mosquitoes.
It is important to do a careful inspeaction around the house to be sure nothing hilds water for longer than three days.
