Summer season is not only a time for cookouts and swimming, but mosquitoes. Mosquitoes spread various illnesses from Malaria to Dengue Fever. Dengue Fever is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. There are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with dengue virus (DENV). The most effective protective measures are those that avoid mosquito bites. (source) Reducing your risk In an article to Oahu on a recent outbreak the CDC stated “We need the public’s help to clean up mosquito breeding areas by emptying all standing water, and checking gutters and other areas that collect water.” Is your home mosquito resistant? Take a tour and check for the following Know where the risk exists: Whether you are travelling abroad or staying home, be aware of where disease outbreaks may be prevalent, check HealthMap. With HealthMap's Outbreaks Near Me application, you have all of HealthMap's latest real-time disease outbreak information at your fingertips.
Top 10 Mosquito Love nests (Courtesy Ontario Ministry of Health) :
-Bird Baths
-Old Tires
-Unused Containers such as barrels
-Flower pot saucers
-Swimming pool covers
-Wading Pools
-Clogged gutters/eavestroughs
-Clogged drainage ditches
-Small containers such as cans or bottle tops
-Unused Childrens Toys or vehicles
Treating Dengue Fever
Not one case of dengue fever was reported in the U.S. from 1946 to 1980, and since then, the only reported cases have been tied to outbreaks in towns across, but near, the U.S. border. Dengue fever is common on most other continents. In fact, at least 50 million people come down with the illness every year in South and Central America, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Northeastern Australia and other locations. There is no medicine or vaccine to treat dengue fever. The only treatment is acetaminophen (Tylenol). Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen should be avoided. Those who contract dengue fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should also cover themselves to prevent further mosquito bites (Source)
Recent cases reported in the USA.
4 Cases in Pearl City, Oahu, HI - March 2011
http://tinyurl.com/3ss3cjk CDC News Release re Above Cases http://tinyurl.com/3nnllnv
1 Case in Miami-Dade County, Florida - January 2011
Since 2009, 93 Cases in Key West, Florida - May 17, 2011
17 Cases reported in Texas in 2011; all imported, not an outbreak - Dec 14, 2010
7 outbreaks since 1980.
One of the best posters we’ve seen is from Karachi:
http://woodshedenvironment.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/pakistan-dengue-poster/