Record wet month means more mosquitoes
COOKEVILLE — With July
being a record wet month for the area, the environment is just right for
mosquito breeding.
And with mosquitoes come diseases that can pose numerous problems.
“Worldwide, the number one killer of children is malaria, which is carried by mosquitoes,” Dr. Mark Pierce, infectious disease specialist at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, said. “We don’t have malaria here anymore.”
Malaria was eradicated in the southeastern United States, mainly by mosquito control and active treatment of cases.
“Another big issue in developing countries, especially in the equatorial zone, is Yellow Fever,” he said. “For years, we’ve had other endemic viruses in the U.S., but the general public is just not as familiar with them.”
The most common virus transmitted today by mosquitoes is West Nile Virus.
“Mosquito control is very important,” he said. “Trying to avoid mosquito bites is always a good idea, not just because they’re a nuisance, but they can carry these viruses.”
West Nile was first described in Uganda and then was distributed in several places, including the Middle East and Israel.
“West Nile is the most widespread of those encephalitis viruses worldwide,” he said. “It was first found in the U.S. in 1999 and it has slowly, steadily spread since then. Now, it’s present in all 48 states.”
So far, only one human case has been reported in the state this year — and that was here in Putnam County.
“We had a case of neuro-invasive disease isolated here in Putnam County back in April,” Pierce confirmed. “That patient was transferred to Vanderbilt.”
The symptoms can be asymptomatic — infected people can show no symptoms at all.
“It’s estimated that one and a half to three million people in the U.S. have been infected with the West Nile virus,” Pierce said. “That’s maybe up to one percent of the population.”
It can cause no symptoms at all to the development of a fever and aches and possibly a rash — similar to flu symptoms.
“A small percent of patients get what we call neuro-invasive disease and develop meningitis or encephalitis from the virus,” he said. “For every one of those we see, there have probably been 150 or so cases that were mild and not detected.”
It is diagnosed by a blood test, but once diagnosed, there is no specific antiviral treatment.
“We just monitor the patient, tell them to stay hydrated and get a lot of rest,” he said.
Across the state, there have been 161 positive mosquito pools — 160 of those were reported in Shelby County, while the other one was in Knox County.
The Department of Health advises people to wear insect repellants when in mosquito habitats and wearing long pants and sleeves that will provide a physical barrier against mosquito bites. They also recommend inspecting the yard and neighborhood for any stagnant water that may collect to prevent development of mosquito populations. Eliminate unwanted containers (tires, trash) or turn containers over as to not collect water and properly maintain wanted water sources, such as bird baths or ornamental ponds.
And with mosquitoes come diseases that can pose numerous problems.
“Worldwide, the number one killer of children is malaria, which is carried by mosquitoes,” Dr. Mark Pierce, infectious disease specialist at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, said. “We don’t have malaria here anymore.”
Malaria was eradicated in the southeastern United States, mainly by mosquito control and active treatment of cases.
“Another big issue in developing countries, especially in the equatorial zone, is Yellow Fever,” he said. “For years, we’ve had other endemic viruses in the U.S., but the general public is just not as familiar with them.”
The most common virus transmitted today by mosquitoes is West Nile Virus.
“Mosquito control is very important,” he said. “Trying to avoid mosquito bites is always a good idea, not just because they’re a nuisance, but they can carry these viruses.”
West Nile was first described in Uganda and then was distributed in several places, including the Middle East and Israel.
“West Nile is the most widespread of those encephalitis viruses worldwide,” he said. “It was first found in the U.S. in 1999 and it has slowly, steadily spread since then. Now, it’s present in all 48 states.”
So far, only one human case has been reported in the state this year — and that was here in Putnam County.
“We had a case of neuro-invasive disease isolated here in Putnam County back in April,” Pierce confirmed. “That patient was transferred to Vanderbilt.”
The symptoms can be asymptomatic — infected people can show no symptoms at all.
“It’s estimated that one and a half to three million people in the U.S. have been infected with the West Nile virus,” Pierce said. “That’s maybe up to one percent of the population.”
It can cause no symptoms at all to the development of a fever and aches and possibly a rash — similar to flu symptoms.
“A small percent of patients get what we call neuro-invasive disease and develop meningitis or encephalitis from the virus,” he said. “For every one of those we see, there have probably been 150 or so cases that were mild and not detected.”
It is diagnosed by a blood test, but once diagnosed, there is no specific antiviral treatment.
“We just monitor the patient, tell them to stay hydrated and get a lot of rest,” he said.
Across the state, there have been 161 positive mosquito pools — 160 of those were reported in Shelby County, while the other one was in Knox County.
The Department of Health advises people to wear insect repellants when in mosquito habitats and wearing long pants and sleeves that will provide a physical barrier against mosquito bites. They also recommend inspecting the yard and neighborhood for any stagnant water that may collect to prevent development of mosquito populations. Eliminate unwanted containers (tires, trash) or turn containers over as to not collect water and properly maintain wanted water sources, such as bird baths or ornamental ponds.
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