Summer Isn’t Here Yet, But It’s Not Too Early To Start Thinking About Mosquitoes NPMA Staff
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The National Pest Management Association advises the public to
take precautions as reports of early mosquito season emerge
FAIRFAX Va. – Although the official start of summer is a month
away, several regions across the U.S. are issuing reports of an
early emergence of mosquitoes.
More concerning is that some states are already reporting specimens
that are testing positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The National
Pest Management Association (NPMA) advises the public that it is
not too early to begin protecting themselves, family members and
pets from mosquitoes when outdoors.
“Summer is almost here, and with it the season’s most pesky pest
– the mosquito. While state agencies will soon be putting their
abatement plans in motion, we advise the public to do their part to
curb mosquito activity in their own back yards in the hopes of
stemming the spread of WNV,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president
of public affairs for the NPMA. “Mosquitoes need only about a
half-inch of water to breed, so it is important to remove any
standing water to help eliminate potential breeding grounds.
Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
reported 5,387 human cases of WNV, 243 of which were fatal. These
numbers reflect one of the biggest outbreaks of the virus ever in
the United States and the deadliest year on record
“Of all the mosquito-borne illnesses, WNV is of greatest concern
in the United States. In most cases, the virus is a mild infection
with similar symptoms to a summer flu. However, in rare cases WNV
is a potentially life-threatening infection,” noted Dr. Jorge
Parada, medical advisor for the NPMA. “Anyone experiencing symptoms
such as high fever, head and body aches, confusion and worsening
weakness should seek medical attention.”
As the risk of WNV increases with prolonged periods of hot and
dry weather conditions, the NPMA advises homeowners to eliminate
all areas of standing water around the outside of the home now and
to ensure all windows and doors have screens.
NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 7,000 members, was
established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's
commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.
For more information, visit PestWorld.org.