June 29, 2016
Swatting the mosquito threat Learn & Play
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A bold Fourth of July BBQ
Community Voices
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By Brenda Mahr
Photos courtesy St. Louis County Department of Public Health and St. Charles County of Public Health Main photo: Vector Control Assistant Tony Patullo checking standing water for the presence of mosquito larva near Creve Coeur Park. Inset photo: The two mosquito species that carry the Zika virus (the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus) are usually present in Missouri, but the presence of the mosquitoes does not necessarily mean they will be carrying it.
The Zika virus poses no danger in Missouri, but local officials stay vigilant
Around Town
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Business
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Daddy dearest
By Brett Auten The Zika virus is one of 2016s hot-button topics, insomuch that it is looming large over the upcoming Summer Olympics in Brazil. The mosquito-borne virus usually causes mild symptoms, such as fevers and rashes, but in Latin America it has been linked to birth defects like microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small brains and Guillian-Barre syndrome, a rare condition in which the immune system attacks nerve cells leading to paralysis. It’s the first mosquito-borne virus known to be both transmitted sexually and from a mother to her fetus. But what about Missouri? The two mosquito species that carry the Zika virus (the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus) are usually present in Missouri, but the presence of the mosquitoes does not necessarily mean they will be carrying it. “As of June, 2016, St. Charles residents shouldn’t be concerned with the Zika virus unless they are traveling to places like South America, Central America, Mexico, or the Caribbean,” Doug Bolnick, Public Information Officer with the St. Charles County Department of Public Health said. “It is a scary thing when you see what (Zika) can do to babies. It is horrible. But the media has played it up a little bit. You should be worried about
other mosquito-borne diseases. Zika may come to Missouri next year or even next month, but as of today, you don’t have to worry.” The United States’ most common mosquito-borne illness is the West Nile virus, which usually causes no symptoms or maybe a mild fever, aches and pains. In rare cases, the illness can attack the nervous system and cause brain swelling and death. St. Charles County has recorded only five local cases since 2010. West Nile activity peaked in 2002, when nearly 120 people were stricken with it in the St. Louis area. Dr. Faisel Kahn, Director of St. Louis County Department of Health, acknowledged the buildup around the Zika virus. “There has been a lot of media hype but the infection is not really new, it is just being noticed on a larger scale and has grabbed a lot media with it,” Kahn said. Kahn knows that the US Public Health system is fully prepared to deal with Zika should it loom larger in the United States, citing examples such as the West Nile Virus and chikungunya virus’ as recent examples. Kahn implores that we use the universal precautions to mosquito-borne diseases. Water containers like old tires and pet dishes must be kept dry.
“You must deprive them of their breeding ground and deprive them of their opportunity to breed,” Kahn said. “If you can communicate that to your friends and neighbors that in itself will go a long way.” Bolnik added that bird baths and even low-lying areas in a yard can also be home sweet home for mosquitoes. “It takes anywhere from 10-14 days for the breeding to start,” Bolnik said. “If you have a pond or something of that nature, make sure the water is getting disrupted on a regular basis to help clear out.” Bolnik also added, do not forget about our furry family members as well. “Make sure your pets have their heartworm medication,” he said. “And be especially aware of tic-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.” Kahn encourages those who are outside for an extended time to wear long sleeves and pants and use off-the-shelf mosquito repellent. The St. Louis Department of Health is vigilant about mosquitoes as it has traps spread throughout the county where they can exam which species are in the area. The Vector Control Section of the St. Louis County’s Environmental Protection Division operates a disease surveillance program and offers a mosquito control See THREAT page 2
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