As if there isn’t already enough to worry about we can finally add brain infecting virus spreading mosquitoes to the list. While it sounds insane, this is very real and everyone needs to stay informed.
Orange County, Florida has recently released a public warning that has caught many off guard and caused a lot to in many ways panic with great reason. This public warning was sent out by the Department of Health and noted that they had found signs of a rare-brain infecting virus known as the ‘Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus.’ This virus EEEV was said to be present in the area and can be transmitted by as you might already assume from this article thus far, mosquitoes.
The cases of EEEV found were in a flock of chickens and gives us all the more reason to avoid being bitten by those pesky insects. While no humans are infected at the moment, this kind of thing greatly increases the risks of it happening. Prevention efforts are currently underway, but we do not yet know how things will play out.
The advisory warning noted as follows in regards to protection against the potential threat:
Several sentinel chickens in the same flock have tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) infection. The risk of transmission to humans has increased. DOH-Orange and mosquito control agencies will continue surveillance and prevention efforts.
DOH-Orange reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember to “Drain and Cover”:
DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.
Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.
Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
Empty and clean birdbaths and pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.
Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
They also noted that those in the area should be covering their skin with clothing or repellent whenever outdoors and mentioned how important socks were in this kind of situation. To learn more on this interesting and vital topic please check out the video below. Mosquitoes can carry lots of different diseases and while covering up can be a pain, sometimes we should be ‘better safe than sorry.’