Archive for the Mosquitoes Category
Posted on February 27, 2013 with No Comments
What should you use to fend of mosquitos? Did you know that there are recent concerns that some mosquitoes are growing resistant to mosquito sprays that contain DEET?
The widely used insect repellent Deet appears to be losing its effectiveness against mosquitoes, scientists say.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine say mosquitoes are first deterred by the substance, but then later ignore it.
For many years, it was not clear exactly how the chemical worked, but recent research suggests that insects simply do not like the smell.
To find out more, researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine took some A. aegypti mosquitoes in the laboratory, and tempted them with a human arm covered in Deet.
As expected, the repellent put the insects off their potential meal.
However, a few hours later when the same mosquitoes were offered a chance to dine again, the researchers found that the Deet was less effective.
To investigate why this might be happening, the researchers attached electrodes to the insects’ antenna.
Dr Logan explained: “We were able to record the response of the receptors on the antenna to Deet, and what we found was the mosquitoes were no longer as sensitive to the chemical, so they weren’t picking it up as well.
“There is something about being exposed to the chemical that first time that changes their olfactory system – changes their sense of smell – and their ability to smell Deet, which makes it less effective.”
The findings about mosquito’s are published in the journal Plos One.
Posted on October 12, 2012 with No Comments
University of Notre Dame entomologists are part of a team of researchers that recently discovered a potentially dangerous new malaria-transmitting mosquito. The as yet unnamed, and previously unreported, mosquito breeds in the western areas of Kenya and has an unknown DNA match to any of the existing malaria-transmitting species.
The Anopheles species of mosquitoes which transmits malaria in Africa is already widely studied by researchers. It prefers to rest indoors during the day and feed on humans during the night. Current malaria control programs, including spraying of insecticides and using insecticide-treated bed nets, are designed with these behaviors in mind.
Although the new species has never been implicated in the transmission of malaria, new discoveries in its biting habits pose a threat because it was found to be active outdoors and prefers to bite people earlier in the evening, soon after sunset, when people are not protected by current malaria control techniques.
Read more here.
Posted on September 26, 2012 with 1 Comment
A mosquito sample collected three decades ago in Israel’s Negev Desert has yielded an unexpected discovery: a previously unknown virus that’s closely related to some of the world’s most dangerous mosquito-borne pathogens but, curiously, incapable of infecting non-insect hosts.
Researchers believe this attribute could make the Eilat virus a uniquely useful tool for studying other alphaviruses, a genus of largely mosquito-borne pathogens that includes the viruses responsible for chikungunya, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis. In addition, the researchers say, Eilat could also aid in the development of new alphavirus vaccines, therapies and diagnostic techniques.
“This virus is unique — it’s related to all of these mosquito-borne viruses that cause disease and cycle between mosquitoes and animals, and yet it is incapable of infecting vertebrate cells,” said University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston graduate student Farooq Nasar, lead author of a paper on the virus now online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “It’s a gift, really, because we can compare it to other alphaviruses and figure out the basis of their ability to infect a variety of animals, including humans.”
Read More @ Science Daily
Posted on September 6, 2012 with 1 Comment
Use Insect Repellent on exposed skin when outdoors. Even a short time being outdoors can be long enough to get a mosquito bite.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Weather permitting, wear long-sleeved clothing and socks when outdoors. outdoors. Don’t apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin.
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. Thee hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for mosquitoes. Always use bug repellent and wear protective clothing during these times, or consider limiting outdoor activity.
Clean Up Water! Mosquito breeding sites can be anywhere. Mosquitos love free standing water. Survey your property and encourage friends and neighbors to keep their yards free of water.
Posted on September 6, 2012 with No Comments
Since 1999, 31 Westchester residents have been confirmed to have had West Nile virus and one death was reported in Westchester. Of the 31 confirmed cases, 27 of the residents were 50 years or older. And with the exception of one, all Westchester residents who had West Nile virus lived in southern Westchester.
So far this year 22 positive mosquito batches were identified in Westchester. Starting in July, batches were found in Rye, Mamaroneck, Rye Brook and Yonkers, with the first and most frequent number of cases in Mamaroneck. One death in Nassau County has been attributed to the virus in New York this year.
Legislators are taking steps to prevent the virus from getting out of control. Prevention is the central theme in the fight against the virus, and Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) is introducing new legislation requiring all Westchester County storm water basins to receive mosquito larvicide treatments based on the previous winter’s weather pattern.
From June 21st thru July 19th, 2012 there were 17 positive reported cases of mosquito batches reported in Mamaroneck, Rye, Yonkers and Rye Brooke alone.
Posted on September 4, 2012 with 1 Comment
For only the third time in a decade, New York City sprayed pesticides to prevent West Nile virus in Manhattan. Crews spent the early hours Friday spraying the pesticides from West 58th Street to West 97th Street between West End Avenue and Central Park. Trucks were out most of the morning, targeting the surging mosquito population on the Upper West Side and in the park.
The Department of Health says the threat posed by the West Nile virus far exceeds any risks from pesticide exposure. So far this year, 11 city residents have tested positive for the potentially fatal disease. “We did find elevated virus and counts of mosquitos in this area, so we’re treating it,” said Mario Merlino, of the health department.
Spraying in the other four boroughs is common, but rare in Manhattan. The only other treatments happened in Washington Heights in 2003 and 2007, according to city records.
At least 13 human cases of West Nile virus infection have been detected in New York so far this year, including the deaths of two older people in Onondaga and Nassau counties.
The spraying wrapped up around 6 a.m.
Posted on August 30, 2012 with No Comments
A total of 1,590 cases of West Nile virus, including 66 deaths, were reported through late August this year in the United States, the highest human toll by that point in the calendar since the mosquito-borne disease was first detected in the country in 1999, health officials said on Wednesday.
According to the CDC, “all 48 contiguous states have reported cases of West Nile virus in birds, which act as hosts; in mosquitoes, which transmit it by biting birds and then mammals including humans, or in people. Only Alaska and Hawaii have been spared. And 43 states have at least one human case.”
THE HOTTER THE WEATHER, THE FASTER THE VIRUS
A spokesperson from the CDC saids “There is no treatment for West Nile infection, and no vaccine. The disease is transmitted by Culex pipiens mosquitoes, also known as common house mosquitoes, and the only preventive measure is to avoid being bitten. People can reduce their risk by eliminating the small pools of standing water – in bird baths, outdoor flower pots and the like – where C. pipiens breed.”
Public health experts and entomologists are baffled about why 2012 is such a big year for West Nile but it is likely contributed to the heat wave or warmer temperatures that have been plaguing the United States.
J.P. McHale Pest Managmenet Inc. offers a Vector Intervention Program to residents of New York, New Jersey and portions of Connecticut.
If you have a pool, kids, love gardening or just enjoy spending time outdoors you need the VIP treatme
nt. This premier service will help protect you from diseases spread by ticks, mosquitoes, and rodents. We target these creatures where they breed and harbor. One of our more popular services, as it will protect your family from the many diseases these pests carry including:
- West Nile Virus
- Hantavirus
- Ehrlichiosis
- Babesiosis
- Lyme Disease
These pathogens are transmitted to people by insect bites, inhalation or by contact with surfaces that have been exposed to diseases. It is vital every family living in the tri-state area protect themselves. We can help!
Because these health risks emerge at specific times, treatments are performed at your home and property each month beginning in April and continuing through October.
Please contact us if you are interested in our Vector Intervention Program.
Posted on August 23, 2012 with No Comments
The nation is heading toward the worst outbreak of West Nile disease in the 13 years that the virus has been on this continent, federal health authorities said Wednesday.
It is still unclear where and how far cases will spread. Dallas declared an emergency last week, and West Nile deaths have been concentrated in Texas and a few nearby states, including Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma, as well as South Dakota.
In 2012, there have been 1,118 cases and 41 deaths reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Lyle R. Petersen, director of the agency’s division of vector-borne diseases, said Wednesday in a telephone news conference.
With West Nile Virus, it takes three days to two weeks after a mosquito bite for symptoms to start. There is no vaccine, and no drug that specifically targets the virus, so health authorities advise people to avoid getting bitten.
Posted on August 14, 2012 with No Comments
National Pest Management Association and the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Urge Public Vigilance as West Nile Virus Disease Cases Increase.
Fairfax, Va. (August 2, 2012) – Mosquito season is in full swing and with it the increased threat of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. As of July 31, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 241 cases of WNV disease and four deaths have been reported. This is the highest number of cases reported through the end of July since 2004. These figures grow daily as more reports are confirmed. Government health officials and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) experts are warning that this mosquito season may pose a severe public health threat. In fact, Texas health officials have said that WNV cases in the state are at epidemic levels.
“The CDC is closely monitoring West Nile virus reports from around the country” said Roger Nasci, Chief of CDC’s Arboviral Diseases Branch. “Compared to this time last year, the number of reported human cases is much higher. People spending time outdoors, particularly in areas of the country where WNV activity is increasing, should take precautionary measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”
”In addition to protecting oneself, NPMA is asking the public to help by limiting the number of mosquito breeding grounds around their homes. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as half an inch of water, so it’s important to take stock of any items that may collect water after a rainfall such as flowerpots, children’s pools and toys, grill covers, and others,” advised Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA.
WNV is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. “In most cases West Nile virus is a mild infection with symptoms so slight they can go unnoticed, or feel like a summer flu,” said Dr. Jorge Parada, medical spokesperson for the NPMA. “In extreme cases, it can be a potentially life threatening infection with higher fever, head and body aches, worsening weakness, confusion and even coma. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
Source: NPMA
Posted on July 24, 2012 with No Comments
Just yesterday we posted tips about mosquitoes and west nile virus and today this New York news article came across that West Nile Virus has been detected in Southhampton New York.
The West Nile virus — a mosquito-spread infection that is potentially deadly in severe cases — was detected in Southampton during Suffolk County Health Services’ latest round of testing.
Mosquito samples were collected July 10 through 12 throughout the county, and 15 tested positive, the department reported Friday.
According to Suffolk County Health Services, West Nile virus was first detected in birds and mosquitos in Suffolk in 1999 and again each year thereafter. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.
