The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department is starting to battle mosquitoes early this year, in hopes to keep citizens from experiencing the dreaded West Nile and Chikungunya viruses. According to Health Inspector Paul Coghlan and Brown County Public Health Official Dr. James B. Hays, the health department is getting started early this year, in January rather than waiting until March.
“We usually start in March but now we are getting started in January with the same campaign,” said Coghlan who stated he and Dr. Hays have begun this week to survey areas of Brownwood and start treatment against the pests within the area. This process includes treating ditches and small bodies of water with microbial briquettes. These briquettes slowly control the mosquito larvae before pupation due to the sustained release nature of the briquettes. They are safe for all other wildlife and humans, affecting only the mosquito larvae. Once the briquettes have been placed, they cover an area of up to 100 square feet, and keep the mosquitoes away for up to 3 weeks.
“The eggs are already laid and out there now,” explained Coghlan, “Water and heat activate them. We want to kill them before they start.”
Coghlan stated that Dallas County Health and Human Services has already started to spray against mosquitoes to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus and Chikungunya virus, which mosquitoes are known to carry.
Most people are familiar with the West Nile Virus (WNV) due to news of many people across the state, especially in Dallas County, who contracted the virus in the past couple of years. It causes flu-like symptoms and for certain demographics, such as pregnant women, senior citizens, children and others with weakened immune systems, it can be life threatening.
Chikungunya is a “nastier virus than West Nile Virus,” according to Dr. Hays. He explained that the name Chikungunya is Swahili and means “bent over and doubled up,” describing the symptoms it produces of joint and muscular pain, which can be disabling. Hays stated that it is also probably more deadly than WNV. As of Friday, January 23rd, Dallas County had seen 10 cases of Chicungunya. All of these cases were said to be imported from countries where the virus is epidemic. Although there have been no confirmed cases transmitted, local transmission is now possible.
Typically, there is no medical treatment for either virus, simply supportive therapy is offered, according to Dr. Hays.
Dr. Hays explained that there are basically two kinds of mosquito species. One of which is the Culex, which carries West Nile Virus and bite with all six of their legs on their victim. The other is Aedes aegypti, which bites with its two back legs sticking up in the air and its other four legs on their victim, which is known to carry Malaria and Chikungunya (CHICKV), both tropical viruses. This specie of mosquito is aggressively active during the day with peak activity at dusk and dawn. The Culex is usually active in the evenings.
Dr. Hays stated that “mosquitoes in general are bad guys, which is another good reason to kill mosquitoes.”
Some counties test for mosquitoes which are infected with diseases to track where infection may be possible, however, Brown County has chosen not to test mosquitoes due to the huge expense it creates. The philosophy of the local health department is to pre-treat to eradicate as many mosquitoes as possible to prevent the spread of any of these viruses.
Dr. Hays recommended citizens also “be kind to Barn Swallows and Martins because they eat mosquitoes.” Gambusia minnows are also a natural predator of the mosquito. These are the common bait minnows available in most bait shops. Another way to control mosquitoes is with “bug zappers,” said Hays.
Coghlan and Dr. Hays are hopeful that the early prevention will lead to another good year for Brown County.
“Hopefully we’ll have a zero (in case numbers of WNV and Chikungunya) again this year,” said Hays. “A zero, with any of these problems.”
The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department urges residents to follow the following preventative measures to help prevent West Nile Virus infection:
To help control the mosquito population, citizens can do several things, including:
- Remove trash, bottles and debris holding water
- Clean clogged gutters
- Flush bird baths and fountains weekly
- Drain flower pots and other garden containers
- Drain water from children’s wading pools and toys
- Fix leaky faucets where water stands
- Remove old tires that hold water
- Fill holes and depressions in yards
- Clean debris out of drainage easements
- Eliminate standing water on flat roofs
- Adjust tarps over woodpiles, grills and boats so water doesn’t stand in the tarp
- Keep vegetation trimmed low
There are many ways residents and families can protect themselves from mosquitoes. To reduce the risk of getting bitten, remember the four Ds:
- Dusk to Dawn – This is the time when mosquitoes, likely to carry infection, are most active. Stay indoors from dusk to dawn whenever possible.
- Drain – Standing water in your yard and neighborhood, old tires, flowerpots, clogged drain gutters, bird baths and small pools can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
- Dress – In light colored long sleeves and pants when you are outside, especially in mosquito infested areas.
- Deet – If you are going outside when mosquitoes are most active, make sure you apply insect repellent that contains DEET –Read and follow label instructions, spray both exposed skin and clothing with repellent when outdoors.
For more information or questions or to report an area which needs to be treated, please contact the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department at 325-646-0554.
Pictured above is stagnant water infested with mosquito larvae.
