thedrifter
06-02-09, 06:55 AM
Simple steps can protect families from West Nile Virus infection
6/1/2009 By Cpl. Stephanie Ingersoll , Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — The West Nile Virus seems to have faded from the forefront of the minds of most Americans. However, the threat of WNV infection is still present, especially with the return of the higher summer temperatures.
Because West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, the most effective prevention is to learn about mosquito behavior, take steps to reduce mosquito numbers near your home, and protect yourself and others from bites.
San Diego County’s Department of Environmental Health offers the following tips to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito bites.
- Dump out water that has been sitting around for more than three days. Buckets, tires and plant saucers are a few favorite urban mosquito egg sites. Mosquitoes need only a half inch of standing water to lay eggs.
- Change the water in bird baths, pet water bowls and children’s pools every few days. Mosquito eggs can hatch in as soon as two days.
- Keep an eye on pool water. Mosquitoes love green swimming pools. Put mosquito fish in backyard ponds or fountains. They love to eat mosquito larva.
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus before going outdoors. Apply it to all skin not covered by clothing. It can even be sprayed onto clothing for extra protection. Long sleeves and pants make biting more difficult for mosquitoes. Also, light-colored clothing makes them easier to spot.
- Dawn and dusk are the favorite times for mosquitoes to bite, so try to stay inside during those times.
One in 150 people infected with WNV develop severe illness. Symptoms include: high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Twenty percent of people infected develop milder symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or skin rash. About 80 percent of people infected show no symptoms. West Nile Virus can however, be a potentially life-altering and even fatal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Camp Pendleton officials have taken measures to protect service members, base employees and families.
“West Nile Virus ‘larvaciding’ commenced the last week of April,” said Lt. Col. Todd A. Kerzie, facility maintenance officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Larvaciding on Camp Pendleton is accomplished by applying larvacide pellets to large standing bodies of water and other troubled areas by helicopter.
Areas such as Lake O’Neill, Pulgas Lake, the mouth of the Santa Margarita River in Del Mar and San Onofre Creek near San Onofre Beach recieve the treatments.
“Larvaciding will continue on a 28-day cycle through October. Additionally, Facilities Maintenance Division will also ‘fog’ for adult mosquitoes when conditions are warranted. Commands and families can also assist is preventing mosquito population growth by limiting excessive lawn and garden watering,” said Kerzie.
For more information, contact The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.
Ellie
6/1/2009 By Cpl. Stephanie Ingersoll , Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — The West Nile Virus seems to have faded from the forefront of the minds of most Americans. However, the threat of WNV infection is still present, especially with the return of the higher summer temperatures.
Because West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, the most effective prevention is to learn about mosquito behavior, take steps to reduce mosquito numbers near your home, and protect yourself and others from bites.
San Diego County’s Department of Environmental Health offers the following tips to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito bites.
- Dump out water that has been sitting around for more than three days. Buckets, tires and plant saucers are a few favorite urban mosquito egg sites. Mosquitoes need only a half inch of standing water to lay eggs.
- Change the water in bird baths, pet water bowls and children’s pools every few days. Mosquito eggs can hatch in as soon as two days.
- Keep an eye on pool water. Mosquitoes love green swimming pools. Put mosquito fish in backyard ponds or fountains. They love to eat mosquito larva.
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus before going outdoors. Apply it to all skin not covered by clothing. It can even be sprayed onto clothing for extra protection. Long sleeves and pants make biting more difficult for mosquitoes. Also, light-colored clothing makes them easier to spot.
- Dawn and dusk are the favorite times for mosquitoes to bite, so try to stay inside during those times.
One in 150 people infected with WNV develop severe illness. Symptoms include: high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Twenty percent of people infected develop milder symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or skin rash. About 80 percent of people infected show no symptoms. West Nile Virus can however, be a potentially life-altering and even fatal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Camp Pendleton officials have taken measures to protect service members, base employees and families.
“West Nile Virus ‘larvaciding’ commenced the last week of April,” said Lt. Col. Todd A. Kerzie, facility maintenance officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Larvaciding on Camp Pendleton is accomplished by applying larvacide pellets to large standing bodies of water and other troubled areas by helicopter.
Areas such as Lake O’Neill, Pulgas Lake, the mouth of the Santa Margarita River in Del Mar and San Onofre Creek near San Onofre Beach recieve the treatments.
“Larvaciding will continue on a 28-day cycle through October. Additionally, Facilities Maintenance Division will also ‘fog’ for adult mosquitoes when conditions are warranted. Commands and families can also assist is preventing mosquito population growth by limiting excessive lawn and garden watering,” said Kerzie.
For more information, contact The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.
Ellie