Zika Update For Macon Residents

In 2016, news of the Zika virus was everywhere–and for good reason. It is a virus that is directly linked to microcephaly. It struck Georgia hard and began to find a footing in Texas. As news of the local spread of the virus went out, folks in our Georgia service area were rightfully concerned. But, we have good news. We are not seeing a repeat of what happened in 2016. We can count the number of local cases on two hands, and all of those cases have been reported in Southern Georgia. So, what does that mean for us here in Macon?

At the end of 2016, the Director-General of the World Health Organization said, “…affected countries need to manage Zika not on an emergency footing, but in the same sustained way we respond to other established epidemic-prone pathogens.” That is where we are today. Zika is still a threat, but there is no need to stay on an emergency footing, especially here in Georgia.

There are three primary ways to stop the spread of mosquito-borne viruses: monitoring, warning, and control. Health agencies in the U.S. have monitoring stations set up in strategic locations to monitor for the appearance of dangerous viruses in sentinel chickens. When a virus is detected, a warning goes out, and mosquito reduction is used to stop the spread. In extreme cases, residents are asked to stay in their homes. But, mosquito reduction is not only for outbreaks. It is used throughout the mosquito season, every year, to reduce illness.

The reason mosquito reduction works is actually quite simple: dead mosquitoes don’t make babies. A single female mosquito can lay over 100 eggs every third night, and will typically live 2 months. That is a lot of mosquitoes.

Mosquito reduction destroys female mosquitoes in the places they hide from the midday sun and works to reduce mosquito breeding locations. Together, this has a big impact on mosquito populations, not just on the property that is being treated, but in the surrounding area as well. The more homeowners and business owners who take part, the lower the mosquito populations will be, and the greater chance that “buffer zones” will be created to arrest the spread of viruses.

So, while Zika virus is not hitting us hard this year, mosquito reduction is still important. It is a “sustained way” to keep epidemic-prone pathogens from spreading through Georgia. Reach out to Active Pest Control to get Mosquito Control for your Macon home or business today.

Zika Virus In Atlanta, Georgia

The state of Georgia has declared a state of emergency, and health officials here in Georgia have confirmed the first case of Zika virus in our state. So, what does that mean for you? Here are a list of common questions the website www.everydayhealth.com has received from the public.

How is Zika coming into the United States? If you look at a map of the Zika virus hitting states like Georgia and Tennessee, you will quickly see that they are separated. This means that the Zika virus has not yet started to spread county to county. It is currently coming into the United States by infected individuals who have traveled from other countries where Zika is present.

Can I catch Zika virus in Atlanta? This is a complicated question. Right now according to this article from www.everydayhealth.com, your chances of getting Zika virus are extremely low. But, when temperatures warm up and more rainstorms come, there may be a much higher risk. So what can you do to reduce your chances of contracting Zika when the rains do come? Here are a few mosquito prevention tips you can implement around your property:

  • Cut back trees and shrubs around your yard
  • Eliminate areas of standing, stagnant water, which are mosquito breeding grounds
  • Fix leaky AC units and outdoor plumbing
  • Change water frequently in bird baths

How does Zika spread in Georgia? Zika is known to spread by mosquito and suspected to also be transmitted sexually. When mosquito season arrives, more precautions will need to be taken to prevent the spread of this virus. Personal precautions include:

  • Schedule outdoor events during the middle of the day, avoiding dawn and dusk, which is when mosquitoes are most active
  • Use an insect repellent containing DEET when spending time outdoors
  • If possible, weather permitting, wear long sleeves and pants

Do I have to worry about Zika virus in Georgia? We are currently in the “wait and see” stage. As more Zika infected people enter the country and we head into mosquito season here in Georgia, we’ll have to watch and see if the mosquitoes here in our state begin to spread the disease locally. This will be most evident when we see cases of infection moving from county to county. But, here in Atlanta, where many travelers fly in from all over the world, it is best to take greater precautions to protect against mosquitoes this year, no matter what, especially if you’re pregnant.

The most effective way to prevent county to county spread of any mosquito-borne virus is through professional mosquito management efforts. If you need mosquito control for your home or business, reach out to us. Together, we can reduce the impact of this potentially dangerous virus.

ZIKA VIRUS INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

With increasing media attention regarding confirmed cases of the Zika virus in the United States, we are providing a list of resources with more information about your health and safety concerns.

Important Things to Remember:

  • The Active Pest Control Mosquito Control plan includes a property inspection and treatments tailored to your family’s needs.
  • Active Pest Control’s current treatments DO reduce the population of mosquitoes known to carry the Zika virus.
  • The best way to prevent bites from mosquito and other insects is to wear a bug spray with DEET or a natural repellant, along with long sleeves and pants, while outside.
  • The U.S. already has strong mosquito control protocols in place; air conditioners, window screens, and vigilant chemical treatments by local governments help reduce the population of disease-spreading mosquitoes throughout the country.

Additional Health and Safety Resources: