Mosquito Spraying In Montgomery County Amid West Nile Virus Concerns

GAITHERSBURG, MD — State crews will spray areas in Gaithersburg, Wheaton and Sandy Spring with mosquito repellent Monday night, Aug. 22, to help curb the pests that carry Zika, West Nile and other viruses.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says the first confirmed case of West Nile Virus in Maryland this year has been confirmed in a man who lives in Western Maryland.

In addition, the virus has been detected in mosquito pools collected in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. A mosquito pool is a group of mosquitoes collected at one of several trap sites across the state. Eastern equine encephalitis, a related mosquito-borne disease, also has been detected in mosquitoes on the Eastern Shore.

“A case of WNV is expected around this time of year,” said Deputy Secretary of Public Health Services Dr. Howard Haft. “Marylanders are reminded that they can take simple steps to reduce the risk of mosquito bites, since mosquitoes can spread such infections as WNV and Zika.”
Precautions include

• Avoiding areas of high mosquito activity.
• Wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats, when concerned about mosquitoes.
• Using an EPA-registered insect repellent according to package directions.

The number of Zika virus cases in Maryland stood at 64 on Aug. 17, experts said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says all those cases were acquired by travel to areas outside the country where the virus is active; no infections originated in Maryland.

If there is a high risk of Zika or West Nile virus transmission due to mosquito activity or a human case of Zika, the ag department will spray for adult mosquitoes within 24-48 hours in a target area to kill any adult mosquitoes that may be carrying the virus.

Mosquito control truck-based spraying will occur on Monday night, weather permitting, in those parts of Montgomery County, says the local health department. Spraying will begin about 7:30 p.m. Any existing spray exemptions in the area will be temporarily suspended. People should avoid outdoor activities on spray nights.

Then, inspectors will go door-to-door in the area to inspect properties for mosquito breeding sites and conduct residual spraying that will reduce adult mosquito populations during the infectious period.

For more information, call the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Mosquito Control Program at 410-841-5870 or the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Disease Control Office at 240-777-1755.

Zika is a mosquito-borne illness that is characterized by a fever, rash and joint pain. According to the state, only about one out of five people infected with Zika are symptomatic. While the illness typically resolves within a week, some severe cases may require hospitalization.

»SEE ALSO:Mosquito Invasion: Tips from Maryland's Bug Guy

Tips from Maryland’s Bug Guy blog to avoid mosquito bites:

• Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin before you go outdoors. He recommends any brand that contains up to 30 percent DEET.
• Place a small fan on your patio if you eat outdoors. The light breeze created by the fan will greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes flying and biting.
• Eliminate standing water by cleaning your gutters, dumping your birdbath twice a week, turning over your wheelbarrow, emptying the wading pool, and getting rid of water-filled containers.
• Add a soil microbe known as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, a.k.a. Bti to an aquatic water garden or standing water on your property that could breed mosquitoes. The microbe comes in doughnut-shaped tablets that can be placed in water to kill mosquito larvae.

The most at-risk population are people traveling to Zika-affected areas, especially pregnant women. Infection with Zika during pregnancy is linked to birth defects in babies, including microcephaly (a condition in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected). Pregnant women are highly discouraged from traveling to Zika-infected areas (Central and South America and the Caribbean).

Zika can also be spread from an infected man to his sex partners. There is also a strong possibility that Zika may can be transmitted through blood transfusions, according to health authorities.

Zika symptoms
In most cases of Zika, there are no symptoms. In a few cases, Zika can trigger paralysis (Guillain-Barré Syndrome).

When present, symptoms are mild and last less than a week. They include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes.There's no vaccine or specific treatment. Instead the focus is on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration, and acetaminophen for fever and pain. Aspirin and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen should be avoided.