HEALTH NOTES
By: Hopewell Township Health Department
With mosquito season peaking in August, residents should know that mosquitoes are not only a nuisance as biting insects, but they can transmit disease.
The Hopewell Township Health Department said this week that mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, have plagued civilization for thousands of years. Organized mosquito control in the United States has greatly reduced the incidence of these diseases. New Jersey’s system for mosquito control is a model for the nation. However, there are still a few diseases that mosquitoes in New Jersey can transmit, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Encephalitis (aka West Nile Virus).
"Encephalitis" means an inflammation of the brain and can be caused by viruses and bacteria, including viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no person-to-person, animal-to-person, animal-to-animal, nor person-to-animal transmission.
The primary transmitter of St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus in New Jersey is the female Culex pipiens mosquito or northern house mosquito. It acquires the virus when it bites an infected bird for the blood meal needed to produce mosquito eggs. After an incubation period of 10 days to two weeks, infected mosquitoes then can transmit viruses to humans and animals while biting to take blood.
The most efficient method of controlling mosquitoes is by reducing the availability of water suitable for larval and pupal growth. Large lakes, ponds, and streams that have waves, contain mosquito-eating fish, and lack aquatic vegetation around their edges do not contain mosquitoes. Mosquitoes thrive in smaller bodies of water in protected places.
The Hopewell Township Health Department suggests that residents examine their homes and neighborhoods and take the following precautions:
Dispose of unwanted tin cans and tires;
Clean clogged roof gutters and drain flat roofs;
Flush sump-pump pits weekly;
Stock ornamental pools with fish;
Change water in birdbaths, fountains, and troughs twice a week;
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools (when not regularly used, they should be emptied);
Turn over unused wading pools and other containers that tend to collect rainwater;
And, cover containers tightly with window screen or plastic when storing rainwater for garden use during drought periods.
If mosquito breeding is extensive in such areas as woodland pools or roadside ditches, the problem may be too great for individual residents. In such cases, call the organized mosquito control agency in this area. These agencies have highly trained personnel who can deal with the problem effectively.
For personal protection from mosquitoes:
Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening when mosquitoes are most active.
Repair holes in door and window screens.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 20 percent to 35 percent DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET in high concentrations (greater than 35 percent) may cause side effects, particularly in children. Avoid products containing more than 35 percent DEET. Whenever using an insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for use, as printed on the product.
Beware of products and promotions that have limited value for mosquito control: electronic repellers, bug zappers, citrosa plants, insectivorous bats, and purple martins.
For more information about mosquito control, contact the Hopewell Township Health Department at 737-0120; Mercer County Mosquito Control at 530-7501, or check the New Jersey Mosquito home page at rci.rutgers.edu.