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Zika Update – Florida Zika Virus Cases Likely Came From Florida Mosquitoes

Zika Update August 2, 2016NEWS RELEASE                            CONTACT:  Bert Mechenbier, (440) 350-2453August 1, 2016                                   LAKE COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT ZIKA UPDATE – FLORIDA ZIKA VIRUS CASES LIKELY CAME FROM FLORIDA MOSQUITOES The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been informed by the State of Florida that Zika virus infections in four people were likely caused by bites of local Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.  The cases are likely the first known cases of local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission in the continental United States.  CDC is closely working with Florida officials who are leading the ongoing investigations.  At Florida’s request, the CDC sent a medical epidemiologist to Florida to help with the investigation. Because of the association between Zika virus infections in pregnant women and certain birth defects, CDC recommends that pregnant women consider not traveling to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.The Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) wants to remind residents that there are currently no known cases of Zika virus in Lake County.  The primary mosquito that transmits Zika virus is the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti.  This mosquito is found in the tropics and in the southern United States.  According to Ohio Department of Health, it is not known to be established in Ohio.  The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a related mosquito that is found in Ohio and may possibly transmit Zika virus, although it has not yet been involved in the transmission of human cases in the United States.  This species was introduced into the U.S. in the 1980s and has been collected in 37 counties and it likely occurs in other counties as well.LCGHD recently won a $60,720 mosquito control grant from Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) for increased surveillance, larvacide and adulticide products, and bite prevention educational materials.West Nile Virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is native to Lake County.  “With recent rains in the area, the best advice is to get rid of standing water around your house if you can and use personal protection against mosquitoes,” noted Bert Mechenbier, Supervisor of Mosquito Control at LCGHD.Mechenbier provided the following tips for homeowners to keep mosquitoes from breeding in your backyard:Dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools, plastic covers or other containers that collect and hold water.Keep roof gutters unclogged.  Clean gutters in the spring and fall.Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs.  Keep them covered when empty.Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted trays at least once a week, if not more often.Fill or drain puddles, ditches, and swampy areas and either remove, drain, or fill tree holes and stumps with mortar.Eliminate seepage from cisterns, cesspools, and septic tanks.Eliminate standing water around animal watering troughs.Irrigate lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for several days.LCGHD would also like to advise the following to protect you from biting mosquitoes:Avoid being outside at dawn/dusk.  If you cannot avoid those times, use a repellent.Use an insect repellent containing 10% or less DEET (N, N-diethyl-methyl-meta-tolumide) for children – no more than 30% DEET for adults.  Use repellents containing DEET according to label instructions.Do not use DEET insect repellent on infants or pregnant women.Do not allow young children to apply DEET insect repellent themselves.  Store out of their reach.Apply DEET insect repellent to your hands and then to a child.  Do not apply DEET insect repellent directly to a child.DEET insect repellent is effective for about four hours.  Use small amounts over exposed skin and clothing.  Do not use DEET insect repellent for a long period of time.Wash treated skin and clothing after returning indoors.Wear light-colored clothing.If you have a concern about standing water, please call the LCGHD at (440) 350-2543.  If the standing water is on private property, permission will be needed to enter the property.  For general information on mosquitoes and mosquito control, please visit the LCGHD’s website at https://www.lcghd.org/mosquito . ###

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Lake County General Health District to begin Mosquito Spray Program

July 12, 2016NEWS RELEASE                                      CONTACT:  Bert Mechenbier, (440) 350-2453July 11, 2016                                              LAKE COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICTLAKE COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT TO BEGIN MOSQUITO SPRAY PROGRAM JULY 11THLake County General Health District (LCGHD) officials are expecting an increase in the number of mosquitoes in Lake County due to heavy rains last week. Heavy rains can leave large areas of standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. If the weather cooperates, the LCGHD is planning to start spraying for mosquitoes the week of July 11th. It should take two weeks to complete the first round of spraying.While there are currently no known cases of Zika virus (spread by mosquitoes) in Lake County, mosquitoes are also the source of West Nile Virus which is native to Lake County, as well as a nuisance.  “The best advice is to get rid of standing water around your house if you can and use personal protection against mosquitoes,” noted Bert Mechenbier, Supervisor of Mosquito Control at LCGHD.Mechenbier provided the following tips for homeowners to keep mosquitoes from breeding in your backyard:Dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools, plastic covers or other containers that collect and hold water.Keep roof gutters unclogged.  Clean gutters in the spring and fall.Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs.  Keep them covered when empty.Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted trays at least once a week, if not more often.Fill or drain puddles, ditches, and swampy areas and either remove, drain, or fill tree holes and stumps with mortar.Eliminate seepage from cisterns, cesspools, and septic tanks.Eliminate standing water around animal watering troughs.Irrigate lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for several days.LCGHD would also like to advise the following for protection against biting mosquitoes:Avoid being outside at dawn/dusk.  If you cannot avoid those times, use a repellent.Use an insect repellent containing 10% or less DEET (N, N-diethyl-methyl-meta-tolumide) for children – no more than 30% DEET for adults.  Use repellents containing DEET according to label instructions.Do not use DEET insect repellent on infants or pregnant women.Do not allow young children to apply DEET insect repellent themselves.  Store out of their reach.Apply DEET insect repellent to your hands and then to a child.  Do not apply DEET insect repellent directly to a child.DEET insect repellent is effective for about four hours.  Use small amounts over exposed skin and clothing.  Do not use DEET insect repellent for a long period of time.Wash treated skin and clothing after returning indoors.Wear light-colored clothing.Wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks if you go outside when mosquitoes are most active (from dusk until dawn).Avoid wearing perfume, cologne and aromatic scents.Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight”.  Repair or replace torn screens.Replace outdoor lights with yellow “bug lights”.If you have a concern about standing water, please call the LCGHD at (440) 350-2543.  If the standing water is on private property, permission will be needed to enter the property.  For general information on mosquitoes and mosquito control, please visit the LCGHD’s website at https://www.lcghd.org/mosquito .   ###

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