HEALTHCARE
LEARN HOW TO
AVOID ZIKA VIRUS
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are asking Marylanders to survey their properties and eliminate mosquito-breeding sites , take appropriate precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes , and to spread the word about Zika virus prevention .
According to the U . S . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito . Both species of these containerbreeding mosquitoes occur in Maryland . Marsh and floodwater mosquitoes are not known to transmit Zika .
The most common symptoms of Zika are fever , rash , joint pain and conjunctivitis ( red eyes ). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito .
People usually don ’ t get sick enough to go to the hospital , and they very rarely die of Zika . For this reason , many people might not realize they have been infected . However , Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly , as well as other severe fetal brain defects . Once a person has been infected , he or she is likely to be protected from future infections .
Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 and is named after the Zika Forest in Uganda . In 1952 , the first human cases of Zika were detected and since then , outbreaks of Zika have been reported in tropical Africa , Southeast Asia , and the Pacific Islands . Zika outbreaks have probably occurred in many locations .
In May 2015 , the Pan American Health Organization ( PAHO ) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil . On February 1 , 2016 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern ( PHEIC ). Local transmission has been reported in many other countries and territories . Zika virus will likely continue to spread to new areas .
The CDC recommends using Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients : DEET , picaridin , IR3535 , oil of lemon eucalyptus , or para-menthanediol . Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness . When used as directed , EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective , even for pregnant and breast-feeding women .
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Learn more : mda . maryland . gov / zika cdc . gov / zika
PREVENTION TIPS FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
YOUR YARD Mosquitoes can exploit the tiniest pools of standing water in your yard and ruin your summer fun . Check your yard every week and dump water out of any containers you see — containers like buckets , cans , bottles , coolers , bird baths , even wheelbarrows and especially saucers under flower pots . Get rid of what you can . Store items upside down when not in use . Or better yet , store them inside or under cover away from rain .
YOUR GUTTERS Gutters clogged with leaves or debris will allow water to collect AND provide food for mosquito larvae . To keep mosquitoes out and the Zika Virus at bay , clean your gutters twice a year in May and November .
TARPS IN YOUR YARD Tarps over woodpiles , recycle bins or trash cans can all hold many puddles of water and lead to mosquitoes using your yard as their home turf . Shake out tarps after each rain or arrange them to drain water away . Keep lids on outdoor trash cans or they will collect rainwater and provide a smelly breeding area for mosquitoes . Keep up with your yard maintenance and keep mosquitoes away .
CHILDREN ’ S TOYS Kids love playing in the yard , but their plastic toys usually have nooks and crannies that hold water after it rains . Within a week , your children might be hiding inside to avoid all of the ‘ skeeters in your yard . Don ’ t let your kid ’ s toys become mosquito nurseries – dump out any water after it rains and store their toys inside or under cover .
YOUR DRAIN PIPES Flexible corrugated drainpipe may keep water away from your house BUT each small corrugation can retain enough rainwater to support hundreds of mosquito larvae . Replace corrugated pipe with PVC pipe OR screen the open end and make sure it ’ s attached to downspouts with NO gaps .
YOUR SWIMMING POOL Do you have a swimming pool you no longer use ? Pool water not being treated with chlorine will become a massive breeding ground for mosquitoes . Drain water out of your pool if possible , and treat any remaining water with a product such as Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Torpedoes . Always treat the skimmer baskets of in-ground pools . Don ’ t let mosquitoes drown your summer fun .
38 FREDERICK COUNTY GUIDE | SUMMER 2016