INVASION OF THE BLOODSUCKING PARASITES - Mosquitoes, the Zika Virus, and You!
What do dengue fever, chikungunya, and the Zika virus have in common? They are all diseases carried by mosquitoes, and they are all untreatable. The type of mosquito that carries these viruses is named Aedes aegypti. It’s not native to North America, but it has already been found living in Washington DC (insert your own joke about bloodsucking parasites here). At this time the only cases of the Zika virus in the United States are from people who traveled to countries where Zika is present, but the virus is moving north. Cases of Zika have been confirmed as far north as Mexico, and it seems inevitable that it will arrive in the United States sooner rather than later.
Thankfully we are not helpless in the face of the mosquito apocalypse. It is possible to control the mosquito population even if you can’t cure the diseases that they carry. Mosquitoes need water to live and breed. By controlling mosquito habitats we can help control mosquito populations. The EPA recommends these steps to remove mosquito habitats:
• Get rid of standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
• Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week to eliminate potential mosquito habitats.
• Drain temporary pools of water or fill with dirt.
• Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.
Mosquitoes cannot pass on the diseases that they carry if they never bite you in the first place. The EPA recommends these steps to help prevent your exposure to mosquitoes:
• Use EPA-registered mosquito repellents when necessary and follow label directions and precautions closely.
• Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks to cover gaps in your clothing where mosquitoes can get to your skin.
• Use head nets, long sleeves and long pants if you venture into areas with high mosquito populations, such as salt marshes.
• Stay indoors at sunrise, sunset and early in the evening when mosquitoes are most active, especially if there is a mosquito-borne disease warning in effect.
• Replace your outdoor lights with yellow “bug” lights, which tend to attract fewer mosquitoes than ordinary lights. The yellow lights are NOT repellents, however.
Use structural barriers
• Cover all gaps in walls, doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
• Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight.”
• Completely cover baby carriers and beds with netting.
Here are some other publications from your professionals at Security Executives:
8 Things You Should Know About Zika
Reefer Madness, an Uncharted Path
Full Body Scanning — A Search Between Privacy and Security
Why Are Americans Bringing Guns to the Airport?
How to Survive in a World Gone Mad
Bomb Voyage, What Does it Mean to You?
Florida’s Infrastructure Report Card
The National Guard Can Do All That?
Homeland Security is investigating mysterious vessel that washed ashore in Florida
Don’t be a zombie, be prepared!
