In this 2020 mosquito season arbovirus update learn about the need to remain vigilant. As Fall arrives in much of the United States and cooler temperatures prevail, there may be a tendency to minimize the threat posed by mosquitoes when in fact the opposite is true. Several arthropod-borne viruses (known as ‘arboviruses’) transmitted by mosquitoes are still active. And the threat will continue until the first hard frost hits your area.
2020 Arbovirus Update
At the time of this writing, there have been 49 cases of West Nile disease in humans in Miami, Florida. Similarly, 26 cases of dengue fever in the upper Florida Keys. Additionally, there have been 5 human cases of Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), 4 in Massachusetts and 1 in Wisconsin. Two human cases of Jamestown Canyon virus have been reported in New Hampshire. Finally, there has been a death from St. Louis encephalitis in California. The current COVID-19 mayhem has impacted our national ability to monitor for mosquito-transmitted viruses. Many surveillance programs, particularly at the state health department level, have been compromised as personnel, resources and funding have been redirected (and justifiably so) toward the pandemic response. Additionally, practices such as social distancing and self-quarantining have reduced bodies in the workplace, where folks would be testing mosquito pools for viruses, as well as on the road, where folks would normally be out collecting the mosquitoes for testing or just doing mosquito control. Overall, this has somewhat reduced the normal amount of information and knowledge we would have regarding the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases. Therefore, CAPT Stan implores you to not let your guard down as the seasons start to change. Please follow CDC’s guidelines at the link below to help protect you and your family. Thank you. https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html Captain Stan Cope (aka the Mosquito Man) is our Vice President of Technical Services and blogs frequently on mosquitoes. In addition to his social media content you can find his blog archives here: https://catchmasterpro.com/?s=captain+stan
Mosquito Season Arbovirus Update - Additional Resources
