Mosquitoes are out this summer, but their greatest danger isn't sucking away a little blood.
Recently, two sentinel chickens in Baldwin County tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. EEE is a mosquito-borne viral disease with a one-in-three mortality rate in humans and approximately half of those persons who survive have permanent neurological damage, according to the official website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The chickens were found in Orange Beach and Lillian, and they are part of the Baldwin County Health Department's Mosquito Control Program.
The program consists of 16 flocks of chickens scattered throughout the county and tested every week for EEE, West Nile Virus and other mosquito-born viruses transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird.
MCP Manager Rachel Beck says that although EEE is detected in birds every year, "everyone should try to avoid exposure to mosquitoes."
As the temperature gets hotter and the amount of standing water increases, mosquitoes thrive, but the actual rate of transfer for EEE only increases as the birds settle less on their nests.
"Once they (the birds) move around later in summer they (the mosquitoes) move on to other hosts," she said.
And mosquitoes that can spread these viruses are found throughout Alabama in urban and suburban communities as well as rural, freshwater swamp areas. The MCP conducts ongoing tests, surveillance and larvicide and adulticide treatments because the bugs will breed easily in storm sewers, ditches, waste lagoons and artificial containers anywhere across the county.
So, according to Beck, everyone must take extra precaution because EEE is "a little more dangerous than" the widely publicized West Nile Virus.
Loose-fitted, long-sleeved and light-colored clothes are recommended by the Health Department to prevent mosquitoes from reaching the skin and to attract less of them with less heat. Beck says to avoid going outside at dusk when the mosquitoes are especially active, but to wear proper repellents if being outside is unavoidable. Also, residents should inspect their property for any kind of standing water.
Larvicide treatments are available free of charge at the Health Department for low-lying areas and ornamental ponds that retain water. Even though there are no human vaccinations, there are vaccinations for WNV and EEE for horses, which can also be affected by the virus.
"A lot of people have a lot of money invested in horses," Beck said. And if its fatality rates are about the same, it's worth it to get them vaccinated.
