(ARA) - Mosquitoes used to be a minor nuisance for people enjoying outdoor activities and recreation, but the threat of West Nile virus has turned these tiny pests into a threat that should be taken seriously. Mosquitoes carry and spread West Nile virus, which burst onto the scene in North America in 1999 posing a threat to both human and animal health.
To protect citizens from possible outbreaks caused by mosquito populations infected with the virus, state and local governments apply mosquito control products to known breeding grounds. The products used in these efforts are called larvicides and adulticides.
Larvicides control the larval stage of mosquitoes that live in water. Adulticides control flying adult mosquitoes. Both types have been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency after passing extensive health and safety tests and regulations. These mosquito control products have been found to pose minimal risks to human health and the environment when used according to label directions, and the benefits far outweigh these minimal risks.
In a survey conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, 9 out of 10 people in high-mosquito areas of the country favor spraying against mosquitoes to prevent the spread of the virus.
“West Nile virus poses a serious threat to public health, and communities need to be prepared,” said Allen James, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment), an association that promotes the safe and responsible use of pest control products used in and around homes, businesses and public areas.
An Integrated mosquito management program is the best way to contain the spread of the virus and prevent human infections, James said. This balanced, integrated approach encompasses four components: 1) educating the public about prevention measures, 2) surveillance and monitoring of mosquitoes and West Nile virus, 3) sanitation and maintenance, and 4) natural and chemical controls.
“In addition to taking precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, including use of repellents, citizens should check with their local governments to learn what measures they are taking to control the spread of the virus in their areas,” James said. “And if no mosquito-control programs are in place, urge them to implement one.”
Mosquito control applications are highly effective in preventing the spread of West Nile virus, as evidenced in the city of Fort Collins, Colo. The city implemented an emergency application program in August 2003 to combat an outbreak of the virus. Before the applications began, 211 people in Fort Collins and its immediate vicinity had contracted West Nile virus. After the applications, only 17 cases were reported in the area through the remainder of the season. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the drop in cases in that city was far more dramatic than the gradual decrease in infection rates in the rest of the state.
Generally, there is no need to relocate or vacate residential areas during mosquito control applications, but citizens may consult local media for announcements about mosquito applications and remain indoors when applications take place if they wish. Additional precautions include:
* Closing windows
* Turning off window-unit air conditioners when applications are taking place in the immediate area.
* Not allowing children to play near or behind truck-mounted applicators when they are in use.
* Bringing in outdoor toys and play equipment or wiping them off with soap and water after applications.
“The risks associated with proper use of pesticides are so low one cannot document any lasting effects,” said James. “Neither human deaths nor serious illness or disability are associated with spraying for mosquitoes. However, the same cannot be said for the victims of West Nile virus.”
Courtesy of ARA Content.
