Enjoy But Take Precautions

Fort Myers – Autumn leaves ...football games ...Halloween ...Octoberfest ...and mosquitoes.  Yes, mosquitoes are a fact of life here in Southwest Florida, and at times have the potential to cause serious problems.   But there's no reason that you can't safely enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities.  Knowledge and common sense precautions can do wonders to allay fears and protect you and your loved ones from harm. 

At this time of year we hear reports of disease-carrying mosquitoes perhaps entering our area.  So we need to arm ourselves - with information.  Presently, there's still a high amount of St. Louis encephalitis virus in our county, so we should all be aware of the best ways to avoid mosquito-borne disease.  And the best ways are simple and inexpensive:

• Avoid the outdoors from about one hour before sunset until one hour after sunrise.
• Repair all holes in screens and replace broken screens.
• Wear protective clothing such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
• Use an insect repellant containing DEET. An effective repellent will contain 20% to 30% DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET in high concentrations (greater than 30%) may cause side effects, particularly in children. Remember to read the manufacturer's Directions For Use, as printed on the product.

When a mosquito dines on the blood of a bird prior to biting a person, serious consequences can occur. Rare but dangerous viral infections can be transferred to humans through the mosquito’s bite.

Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, is a condition that can be the result of many diseases, including influenza, measles, German measles and chicken pox, among others. Or it can be caused by the bite of certain disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Here in Southwest Florida, two specific forms of encephalitis are of particular concern – Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE)

Here in Southwest Florida, two specific forms of encephalitis are of particular concern – Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE). Both are "arbovirals", meaning that the infecting agent originates in birds. The blue jay, morning dove, wood thrush, titmouse, chickadee, catbird and cardinal have been known to have high incidences of the infecting virus. Mosquitoes bite infected birds and then the virus can potentially be passed to humans.

Lee County Mosquito Control maintains 18 flocks of chickens, each consisting of 6 birds, referred to as sentinel flocks. Chickens are used many reasons – they’re inexpensive, easy to observe and test, and they themselves are unaffected by the illnesses Their purpose is to monitor the prevalence of 2 specific forms of illness. At weekly intervals blood samples are taken and analyzed.  From the weekly and cumulative information obtained, health officials determine the risk of illness to the public.

EEE, spread only by mosquitoes, is comparatively rare in humans. For the most part, its victims are horses. Most years fewer than 10 cases in people are reported nationwide. First reported in Florida in the 1930’s, statistics show that between 1964 and 1996, a total of 153 human cases were reported (2 cases were reported in Florida in 1996. Eastern Equine Encephalitis grows in birds that live in fresh water swamps from New England to Florida. The virus in transferred to horses (and in rare cases to man) by mosquitoes who’ve bitten infected birds. Currently, there are no reported Florida cases in humans.

SLE - St. Louis Encephalitis, the most common variety of encephalitis, first was isolated in 1933 in St. Louis, Missouri. Geographically, SLE occurs throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Fortunately, humans and other mammals are poor hosts for SLE. Of the kinds of birds listed above, the Mourning Dove is known to have a particularly high incidence of SLE infection. Normal incidence nationally is about 3,000 cases. In 1990 the largest known Florida outbreak occurred, with 15 cases in Lee County. Currently, there have been 2 reported human case in Florida.

Visit the Lee County Mosquito Control District