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West Nile Virus Action Alert
West Nile Virus Action Alert
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STANDING WATER LEFT ALONE KEEPS
MOSQUITOES CLOSE TO HOME
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Eliminating Residential Breeding Sites Reduces Possibility of West Nile Virus in Maryland
We continue to be faced
with two possible public health hazards - West Nile Virus (WNV) and the
pesticides that might be used to combat it. Citizen participation in eliminating
standing water on residential property is critical in preventing WNV and reducing
our exposure to pesticides that may be used to combat infected mosquitoes. The
task of reducing breeding sites is the responsibility of every Maryland resident.
One mosquito can infect one bird, but one bird can infect a hundred mosquitoes.
So we need to fight the bite by getting rid of standing water. Most mosquitoes
do not fly very far, so if you are being bitten in and around your home, the
mosquito was probably born somewhere close by on your property! Mosquitoes breed
in standing water. No standing water, no mosquitoes! Even a water-filled bottle
cap can become a mosquito breeding site. Ditto for unused wading pools.
The Center for Disease Control
claims that typical West Nile viral infections in people are mild with
symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen
lymph glands. The chances of humans becoming seriously ill from WNV is
very small. This is because most humans are able to overcome any infection
from WNV by the normal response of their immune system. In rare cases,
more severe infections may occur, marked by such symptoms as headache,
high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, muscle weakness, paralysis
and rarely, death.
The populations most vulnerable to such disease, such as the elderly and people
with compromised immune systems are also most vulnerable to the adverse
effects from exposure to toxic pesticides. In fact, some of the symptoms
that may occur from exposure to neurotoxic pesticides are the very same
symptoms as WNV. The U.S. EPA policy on pesticides is that "no pesticide
can be considered safe."
It is critical that Maryland use aggressive prevention measures to prevent WNV
and avoid the use of toxic pesticides to control mosquitoes. Such preventive
measures such as monitoring, surveillance and larval mosquito control are
being conducted by the Department of Agriculture. However, the primary
preventive control is breeding site reduction. A breeding site can be as
small as a rain filled bottle cap and as large as a stagnant pool of water.
Communities can work together to reduce mosquito - borne diseases such as
West Nile by getting rid of standing water.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP BEAT THE VIRUS AND UNNECESSARY PESTICIDE EXPOSURE:
1. Drain and remove containers holding collected rainwater such as cans, plastic
containers and ceramic pots. Eliminate standing water in potted plant containers
and saucers. Avoid using saucers under plant pots;
2. Remove old tires - they hold water where mosquitoes can breed and are the number
one habitat;
3. Change water in containers for birds, pets and other wildlife every four days;
4. Clean rain gutters of leaves;
5. Remove standing water from pool covers. Drain stagnant water from swimming pools
and chlorinate pool water. Turn over unused wading pools;
6. Change stagnant water in ornamental pools at least once a week. You can also
aerate the pool or water garden or stock them with fish;
7. Empty stagnant water from garbage cans, buckets, wheel barrows and carts.Turn
over wheelbarrows, canoes and buckets. Ensure that trash cans and recycling
containers left outdoors have drainage holes in the bottom. Do not leave
garbage lids upside down;
8. Drain water from boats;
9. Inspect flat rooftops for water accumulation and remove water;
10. Flush sump-pump pits weekly;
11. Cover containers tightly with window screen or plastic when storing rainwater
for garden use;
12. Use insect repellents and wear long sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors
early morning or at dusk and in the evening. Keep your window and door
screens in good repair and remember to use them.
Pesticide Synergy: Maryland uses toxic pesticides in an attempt to control mosquitoes that may be carrying West Nile virus. While these pesticides are toxic and have potential adverse health effects as single chemicals, they are potentially even more hazardous in combination according to recent research. Click here to read more about the synergistic effects of permethrin (the adulticide used widely in MD) and DEET (the insect repellant recommended by the state), in a summary of a study by Dr. Mohammed Abou-Donia of Duke University.
For additional information, click here to visit the Montgomery County Maryland Department of Environmental Protection website at http://www.co.mo.md.us/services/dep/Mosquito/home.htm.
The Maryland Pesticide
Network is working for:
1-Public participation in the planning and decision making process governing
mosquito management for public health emergencies at all levels of government.
2- Public notification as to when, where and what pesticides are planned for
use before such use occurs so that people can to take precautions against exposure.
Hazard information on pesticide exposure should be fully disclosed.
3- Data collection on adverse health effects resulting from exposure to pesticides
used to combat mosquito populations along with data collection on the prevalence
and virulence of the virus and the potential size of an outbreak. Along with
information on potential adverse effects from pesticide exposure, residents
should be made aware of a hotline number to report such injury.
4- A mosquito management strategy that uses the least toxic methods available
and targeted to those areas where monitoring and surveillance indicate the presence
of infected mosquito populations at epidemiologically significant levels. Pesticides
should be used as a last resort. In the absence of infected mosquito populations
and without a clear demonstration that pesticides will check disease transmission,
indiscriminate aerial and ground spraying can do more harm than good.