The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Mosquitoes The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Mosquitoes
Showing posts with label Mosquitoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mosquitoes. Show all posts

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Image of 1 million Florida mosquitoes chills social media. ‘Makes me itch to look’


A photo of one million dead mosquitoes is giving people the willies on social media, but the scariest part may be that all of them came from one section of a Southwest Florida neighborhood. The pile stands 8 inches tall and about 18 inches across ... and amounts to about 5 gallons of dead bugs. Multiple photos of their little corpses were shared Feb. 16 on Facebook by Lee County Mosquito Control District in Florida. The coastal county is about 150 miles southeast of Tampa.

To read more on this story, click here: Image of 1 million Florida mosquitoes chills social media. ‘Makes me itch to look’


FOLLOW US!
/

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Release 750 Million Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Into the Wild, They Said


  • The Florida Keys will host an experimental release of genetically modified, self-destroying mosquitoes.
  • These experiments are viewed as alternatives to environmentally destructive insecticides, for example.
  • The plan has drawn criticism from environmental groups.
Corporate scientists have received final approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to release hundreds of millions of genetically altered mosquitoes into the Florida Keys. The goal? To begin reining in the mosquito population, which is only expected to increase as climate change continues to warm and flood the low-lying, tropical Keys. But some environmental groups object strongly to the move.

To read more on this story, click here: Release 750 Million Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Into the Wild, They Said


 


FOLLOW US!
/

Sunday, May 31, 2015

With Outdoor Activity Season in Full Swing: Insects Can Carry Nasty Diseases


Bugs bite. And when they do, they can make us miserable, itchy, bumpy – and, occasionally, very sick.

With outdoor activity season in full swing, here's what you need to know.

Insects can carry nasty diseases.

Most people who get a few mosquito or tick bites will not get sick. But some mosquitoes and ticks can carry bacteria and viruses that cause serious human illnesses – and some of those illnesses have recently become more common in the United States.

Take West Nile Virus. That mosquito-borne illness came to the United States in 1999. Since then, more than 17,000 cases have been reported, says the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While typical symptoms include headaches, joint pains and rashes, a few people have serious neurologic symptoms and some die.

A newer threat: chikungunya, another viral disease spread by mosquitoes. In 2014, nearly 2,500 cases were reported on the U.S. mainland, mostly among people bitten while travelling. But 11 people were infected by mosquitoes in Florida. While chikungunya rarely kills, it can cause severe joint pain that lasts for months.

Then there's Lyme disease, caused by a bacteria spread by ticks. The CDC has been tracking that disease since 1991, and says there are about 30,000 reported cases each year, but that the real number is likely ten times bigger.

Your risk depends largely on where you live (or travel).

About 96% of confirmed Lyme cases occur in just 13 states, clustered in the Northeast and Midwest, CDC says.

And the mosquitoes that carry chikungunya are tropical species, meaning only southern areas need to watch for local outbreaks, says Jonathan Day, a professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida. The fact that people in the United States spend so much time inside, with air conditioning and screened windows, may help prevent big outbreaks, he says.

Mosquitoes that can carry West Nile do live throughout the United States. But local conditions determine where epidemics catch fire, Day says. For example, a 2012 outbreak near Dallas was spurred by drought – which caused virus-carrying mosquitoes and birds to cluster around scarce water sources. Another outbreak in Arizona was linked to un-drained swimming pools in foreclosed houses abandoned during the recession, he says.

Some people get bit more than others.

It's true: mosquitoes and ticks find some people especially attractive. Scientists disagree on the reasons.

Day says he is convinced it's mostly about carbon dioxide: mosquitoes and ticks find their victims by detecting it and some of us produce more than others. That includes heavier people, pregnant women and exercisers. "The amount of carbon dioxide you produce depends on your metabolic rate," he says.
But Uli Bernier, a research chemist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, says he has seen evidence that other factors are at work over many years of exposing people to mosquitoes in his Gainesville, Fla., lab. He's seen different mosquitoes zero in on different people. He's also found that some people (himself included) seem to become more attractive to mosquitoes over time.

What you eat and drink may matter, Day and Bernier agree. Alcohol, in particular, seems to attract mosquitoes, they say. At least one study also suggested smokers were at higher risk – but probably because they spend so much time smoking outside, Day says.

Several repellents work well.

CDC says you want one that includes DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or a chemical called IR3535.

While DEET products have long been thought the most effective, recent tests by Consumer Reports gave the edge to picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus.

"It was really a surprise," and should be good news to people uneasy with the possible side effects of DEET, says the magazine's senior health and food editor, Sue Byrne.

DEET has been linked with seizures and other serious side effects, mostly in people who swallowed it or applied heavy concentrations.

When used as directed, it's safe, Bernier says: "It's been around 63 years and has a remarkable safety record."

Other strategies can help.

Wear long sleeves, pants, closed shoes and socks for a walk in the woods. You also can also spray a repellent called permethrin on clothing and gear. And check yourself for ticks when you go inside.

For an evening on your patio, try this: sit next to a fan running at high speed. Consumer Reports found that helped repel mosquitoes, and Day says it makes sense: "Mosquitoes do not have an ability to fly in wind conditions much more than 1 mile an hour."

Here's what doesn't work.

Consumer Reports gave thumbs down to:

"Natural" repellent sprays made with plant oils, such as citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary

Wrist bands containing citronella or geraniol oil

Citronella candles

The American Academy of Pediatrics adds these to the ineffective list:
  • Garlic
  • Vitamin B1 supplements
  • Bug zappers (they may actually attract insects)
  • Ultrasonic devices
FOLLOW US!
/

Saturday, September 27, 2014

What Horse Owners Should Know About West Nile Virus


What Is West Nile Encephalitis?
West Nile encephalitis describes an inflammation of the central nervous system, which is caused by infection with West Nile Virus. Prior to 1999 West Nile Virus was found only in Africa, Eastern Europe, and West Asia. In August of 1999 it was identified in the United States.

How Do People Or Animals Become Infected With West Nile Virus?
People and animals can become infected from the bite of certain kinds of mosquitoes that are infected with the virus. Mosquitoes may pick up the virus when they bite, or take a blood meal, from wild birds that are infected with West Nile Virus. Those mosquitoes may then transmit the virus to people and other animals when biting to take a blood meal. Infection occurs primarily in the late summer or early fall in the northeast and Mid Atlantic regions.

Does Infection Always Lead To Illness?
Infection with West Nile Virus does not always lead to signs of illness in people or animals. Horses appear to be a species that is susceptible to infection with the virus. In horses that do become clinically ill, the virus infects the central nervous system and may cause symptoms of encephalitis. Clinical signs of encephalitis in horses may include a general loss of appetite and depression, in addition to any combination of the following signs:

  • fever
  • weakness of hind limbs
  • paralysis of hind limbs
  • impaired vision
  • ataxia (weakness)
  • head pressing
  • aimless wandering
  • convulsions (seizures)
  • inability to swallow
  • walking in circles
  • hyperexcitability
  • coma

It is important to note that not all horses with clinical signs of encephalitis have West Nile encephalitis. Certain other diseases can cause a horse to have symptoms similar to those resulting from infection with West Nile Virus. If you are concerned that your horse may be exhibiting signs of encephalitis, please contact your veterinarian. Laboratory tests are necessary to confirm a diagnosis.

Is Treatment Available For West Nile Encephalitis In Horses?
There is no specific treatment for West Nile encephalitis in horses. Supportive veterinary care is recommended. It is important to diagnose WNV because infection is an indication that mosquitoes carrying the virus are in the area and need to be eliminated.

How Many Horses Have Been Affected By West Nile Virus?
In 1999, approximately 25 horses became ill from infection with West Nile Virus. In 2000, there were 60 documented clinical cases of infection. Approximately 60% of horses that actually showed signs of illness in 1999 and 2000 recovered from the infection. Others were euthanized or died as a result of infection. Many more horses were infected without showing any clinical symptoms of disease. In 2001, there were 159 documented clinical cases of infection.

Is A Vaccine Available To Protect Against Infection With West Nile Virus?
A WNV vaccine for horses is now available. It has recently been approved for marketing, on a conditional license, which means that the efficacy of the vaccine will be studied for a year. Because it is impossible to distinguish between vaccinated and naturally infected horses with current testing methods, it is important that vaccination records be kept updated for each horse that receives the vaccine. Horses vaccinated against Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis are not protected against infection with West Nile Virus.

How Can I Protect My Horse Against Infection With West Nile Virus?
Vaccination of horses is not a guarantee of protection against infection, and does not offer any protection for other animals or people. The best method of prevention of infection with West Nile Virus for people and animals is to reduce the risk of exposure to the mosquitoes that may carry the virus. Reducing the risk involves eliminating mosquito breeding sites to reduce the number of hatching mosquitoes, and to reduce exposure to adult mosquitoes. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so reduction of breeding sites involves eliminating stagnant water sources. To reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites:


  • Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, buckets, ceramic pots or other unwanted water-holding containers on your property.
  • Pay special attention to discarded tires. Tires are important mosquito breeding sites.
  • Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors. Containers with drainage holes located only on the sides collect enough water to act as mosquito breeding sites.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters every year. Millions of mosquitoes can breed in roof gutters each season.
  • Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
  • Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths.
  • Empty and refill outdoor water troughs or buckets every few days.
  • Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools when not in use. Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.

Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property, especially near manure storage areas. Mosquitoes may breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.
Additional steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of exposure of horses to adult mosquitoes:

Reduce the number of birds in and around the stable area. Eliminate roosting areas in the rafters of the stable. Certain species of wild birds are thought to be the main reservoir for the virus. (Although pigeons have been shown to become infected with West Nile Virus, they do not appear to act as reservoirs and therefore don't transmit the virus to mosquitoes).

Periodically look around the property for dead birds, such as crows. Dead birds may be reported to the DEP online at anytime of the year. However, suitable birds will only be picked up or tested for WNV between May 1 and September 30. Use gloves to handle dead birds and place the birds in plastic bags.
Topical preparations containing mosquito repellents are available for horses. Read the product label before using.

For help in assessing mosquito exposure risks on your property and for suggested control practices, please contact your county extension office, county Department of Environmental Protection, county Department of Health, or mosquito and pest control company.

Can A Horse Infected With West Nile Virus Infect Other Horses?
There is no evidence that infected horses can transmit the virus to other animals, people, or mosquitoes. Only a wild bird-mosquito transmission cycle has been proven as a means of transmitting West Nile Virus.

Can Ticks Spread West Nile Virus?
Research is ongoing within the public health community to determine the role ticks play in the vectoring of West Nile virus. Scientists have confirmed ticks become infected with West Nile virus and may be able to amplify the disease within the avian community. Some researchers have also suggested that the ticks pass West Nile virus between generations and that is how the disease survives the winter in Pennsylvania. The Department will monitor this research closely to see what role ticks may play, if any, in the West Nile virus cycle.

Where Can I Get More Information About West Nile Virus?

For more information:

United States Department of Agriculture (717) 782-3442 http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/wnv/index.html
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (717) 783-6897 http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/
Department of Health 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258). http://www.WestNile.state.pa.us/







(To subscribe to The Pet Tree House, click on this icon
in the black drop-down menu on your right. Thank you.)


on Twitter @thepettreehouse

Visit my new blog! The News Whisperer, An informative blog of what's going on in your world today!
 at: www.whispersoftheworld.com



FOLLOW US!
/

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Pet Experts Caution about Parasite Problems - Mild Winter to Blame



Veterinarians and other pet experts are worried the mild winter will present serious problems for dogs and cats this spring and summer.

"This spring came very early, back in February people started sending me ticks, and I was a little surprised, quite surprised," says University of Georgia veterinary entomologist Dr. Nancy Hinkle.

She isn't the only one.

Vets nationwide are worried the early arrival of ticks and mosquitoes will cause outbreaks of pet diseases like heartworms.

Chris Carpenter and Byron Blagburn are with the Companion Animal Parasite Council, and both say the exceptionally warm winter is to blame.

"We anticipate that we'll have more mosquitoes and, of course, since heartworm is moved from an infected dog to a non-infected dog by the mosquito, the mosquito plays a pivotal role," Blagburn says.

The council has set up a free website, Pets and Parasites.org, where you can look at county-by-county monthly updates on frequency of pet diseases.

"For you to see just how prevalent it is and it's not just limited to heartworm, we'll give you updates on tick diseases and other parasitic diseases that are prevalent throughout the country," Carpenter explains.

The council's forecast calls for extremely high levels of heartworm population in the South, with high to moderate levels elsewhere.

They advise that pets get parasite prevention medication year-round.

:

Please Share!

FOLLOW US!
/