mosquito illness Archives - Tuff Turf, LLC

Jamestown Canyon virus detected in Kent County mosquitos

July 17th, 2024 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) detected a dangerous mosquito-borne illness (Jamestown Canyon virus) in part of Kent County following a survey of the mosquito population.

The discovery, which is not a human case, was made during ongoing surveillance and testing conducted by the KCHD near Grand Rapids and Walker. It’s not a human case of the virus, but it can still spread to humans. This warning reminds people to stay alert around mosquitoes, especially if they bite them.

“Fortunately, the measures that people can take to protect themselves from other mosquito borne illnesses will work against the Jamestown Canyon virus,” said Brendan Earl, Supervising Sanitarian at KCHD. “With the increase in mosquito activity this time of year, it is good to practice simple and proven steps to prevent mosquito bites.”

Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing water, making it a breeding ground. Flooding and heavy rain in West Michigan early Monday will only create more opportunities for mosquitos to grow.

“Their larval lifestyle requires them to be in water,” Earl said. “If you dump them out, we always call it tip and toss, you’ll get rid of entire generations of mosquitos.”

Jamestown Canyon virus is spread to people by infected mosquitoes from April to September. Vaccines cannot prevent the virus, and no medications can treat it. The best way to protect yourself from the virus is to avoid mosquito bites.

While the symptoms of the Jamestown Canyon virus include headache, fever, and fatigue, severe cases of meningitis or encephalitis are extremely rare. This should provide significant reassurance to you and your family.

Prevent mosquito-borne illnesses by taking the following precautions:

Spray insect repellent with 10–35% DEET.
Wear long sleeves and pants with light colors.
Stay indoors during dusk to reduce your risk of being bitten
Remove or refresh water in bird baths, children’s wading pools, water bowls for your pets, and empty other small containers that can collect water in your yard

For more information, read the Kent County Health Department’s press release. This will give you a more comprehensive understanding of the situation and how to protect yourself.

More About Zika Virus from the Michigan Mosquito Control Association

April 26th, 2016 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

More about Zika virus:

Zika is a viral illness spread by the bite of two species of infected mosquitoes, and is an emerging disease in the western hemisphere. People who are bitten by a Zika virus infected mosquito often show only minor symptoms, if any. Major concerns of Zika, however, include the virus’ documented impact on pregnancies and sexual transmission of the virus. Below are some frequently asked questions about Zika virus:

How does somebody get Zika virus?

Zika is primarily spread through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito: 

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are common in South & Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and some parts of the U.S.. They have not been detected in the state of Michigan.

For updated information about areas with Zika, go to www.cdc.gov/geo/index.html

Zika is also transmitted through sexual contact: 

Zika can be passed from an infected man during sex. The man gets infected by a mosquito bite and spreads it to his partner through unprotected sex. This is preventable by using condoms, the right way, every time during all types of sex.

For up-to-date recommendations regarding the prevention of sexually transmitted Zika, see: www.cdc.gov/zika

You cannot get Zika virus from coughing and sneezing.

What are the symptoms of Zika virus? 

Most people infected with Zika will not show symptoms and don’t even know they have it. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. 
Zika symptoms may include: fever, headache, rash, reddened eyes, joint and/or muscle pain.

What are the concerns for pregnant women? 

If a pregnant woman is infected with Zika, she can pass the virus to her fetus. Zika has been linked to cases of microcephaly. Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age.
Pregnant women or women planning to get pregnant are advised to avoid, or postpone travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission.

For information about birth defects related to Zika virus, see: www.cdc.gov/zika

For updated information about areas with Zika, go to www.cdc.gov/geo/index.html

How can I prevent mosquito bites while traveling to areas with Zika virus? 

The mosquitoes that transmit Zika bite during the day and night. 
It’s important to wear EPA registered insect repellents when in areas with current Zika virus activity. Loose fitting, long sleeved shirts and pants can also be protective in these areas. 
Try to stay in locations with window and door screens and air conditioning.

Will Zika be a health threat in the U.S.? 

Zika may spread through mosquito bites in some states later this spring and summer. Based on US experiences with similar viruses (dengue and chikungunya), states like Florida, Hawaii, and Texas, may have cases or small clusters of diseases that are spread by infected mosquitoes. Additional states may also be at risk. 
To date, the species that transmit Zika virus have not been found in the State of Michigan. 
Some health departments and areas with mosquito control districts are actively monitoring for the presence of these mosquitoes in the state.

For up-to-date maps of the distribution of these mosquito species, see: www.cdc.gov/zika

How can I prevent mosquito bites around my home? 

Wear EPA registered insect repellents when working or recreating outside during peak mosquito activity periods. 
Eliminate small containers of water such as buckets, tires, and planters. Also cover rain barrels with mesh so that mosquitoes cannot develop in them. 
Make sure window and door screens are in good repair. Not all Michigan communities practice mosquito control. The best way to protect communities from disease carrying mosquitoes is through proactive control measures. For questions about mosquito control in your community, contact your local mosquito control district or your city, township, or county government.

This information provided by the Mosquito Control Association of Michigan.

CDC Confirms Brain Damage Link

April 26th, 2016 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

It’s official: Zika virus causes microcephaly and other birth defects. A new analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms what many earlier studies had suggested: The virus, typically passed via the bite of an infected mosquito, can travel from a pregnant woman to her fetus and wreak havoc in the brain. “There is no longer any doubt that Zika causes microcephaly,” CDC director Tom Frieden said in a news briefing Wednesday. The findings, reported April 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine, follow a March 31 report from the World Health Organization that concluded nearly the same thing. Because the connection between a mosquito-borne illness and such birth defects is so unprecedented, the CDC took time to carefully weigh the evidence, Frieden said. “Never before in history has there been a situation where a bite from a mosquito could result in a devastating malformation.” In the NEJM analysis, researchers factored in molecular, epidemiological and clinical data, including recent reports of babies born with microcephaly in Colombia. The country has been suffering from a Zika outbreak for months, and thousands of pregnant women have been infected with the virus. Based on what scientists know about the virus, now is about the time they would have expected to see birth defects, said CDC public health researcher and study coauthor Sonja Rasmussen. WHO reports 50 cases of microcephaly in Colombia, seven of which have a confirmed link to Zika. Researchers still can’t pin down the odds that an infection during pregnancy will lead to microcephaly, though. “What we don’t know right now is if the risk is somewhere in the range of 1 percent or in the range of 30 percent,” Rasmussen said. Scientists do believe, however, that women who aren’t pregnant would probably clear a Zika infection within eight weeks, and not have problems with future pregnancies, Rasmussen said.

Information provided by the Michigan Mosquito Control Association.