First West Nile virus-positive mosquito pool in 2016 confirmed for Maryland
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced their first detection of a West Nile virus mosquito pool in Maryland for this year.
On Wednesday, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says they confirmed West Nile virus was present in mosquitoes collected by department personnel in Capitol Heights on July 19.
Ultra-Low Volume, or ULV, truck-based spraying to control adult mosquitoes in that section of Capitol Heights apparently happened two nights following trapping, and the department’s mosquito control personnel reportedly continue to work aggressively to reduce mosquito populations in this community and across Maryland.
Secretary of Agriculture Joe Bartenfelder commented on the situation saying, “We know that West Nile virus may be present throughout Maryland. It typically appears at this time in the summer, so we are not surprised with this positive finding. The confirmation of virus-positive mosquitoes serves as a reminder to all residents to continue protecting themselves against mosquito bites and to conduct backyard mosquito control activities in addition to the department’s routine surveillance and spray activities.”
The department’s Mosquito Control Office, in cooperation with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, has reportedly been conducting surveillance activities throughout Maryland to collect and test mosquitoes for West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and several other mosquito-borne diseases.
Health officials say these diseases are endemic in Maryland and are transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. According to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, approximately twenty percent of people infected with West Nile virus will develop West Nile fever, which is typically characterized by fever, headache, and body aches which can last for just a few days or as long as several weeks.
Officials also say that less than one percent of people bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of the disease. People most at risk for developing severe disease reportedly are those over 50 and those with already compromised immune systems.
While not all mosquitoes carry these diseases, the Maryland Department of Agriculture suggests that residents take precautions to minimize their exposure to mosquito bites. These measures include:
- Wear long, loose fitting, light colored clothing
- Wear insect repellents according to product labels
- Avoid mosquito infested areas during prime periods of activity (between dusk and dawn)
- Install, inspect, and repair window and door screens in homes and stables
- Regularly clean bird baths and bowls for pet food and water
- Remove or empty all water-holding containers
Currently there is no WNV vaccine for humans, however, there are effective vaccines for horses, ostriches and emus, also known as ratites, and owners are encouraged to get their animals vaccinated and boostered in a timely manner in consultation with their veterinarian.
Dog owners are also urged to have their pets checked for heartworms, the most common disease transmitted by mosquitoes in Maryland. Dogs in all Maryland jurisdictions should be placed on a heartworm preventive program. Pet owners should consult with their veterinarians.
For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, contact your local health department, or visit the following websites:
