By Tricia Chiarelli & Maureen Rossi
Last summer Zika wasn’t even part of our vernacular, it was not mentioned in the news and it certainly didn’t garner the fears it has since arriving in the United States. Cases of the Zika virus have been reported in Suffolk County since the onset of 2016. Planned Parenthood’s Long Island offices have been distributing prevention kits that include: insect repellent, information about the Zika Virus, condoms and mosquito dunks (which kill unborn mosquitos when dissolved in standing water).
Smithtown Obstetrician Dr. Banura has had a plethora of patients mentioning and sharing their serious concerns about the Zika virus over the last year, more so this summer. So what do you do if you live in Suffolk? You can follow the Zika Plan of Action developed by the Suffolk County Health Department that mimics the Centers for Disease Control and The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health’s recommendations.
The New York City Health Department announced the city’s first case of newborn microcephaly due to the Zika virus back in July. Not surprising, the great metropolis has historically and continues to be multicultural. According to the last United States Census, about 36% of the city’s population of over eight million people are foreign born. Many are from the roughly fifty countries where Zika is endemic. So Zika will not leave the tri-state area any time soon between our large international airport and a global populace.
According to the Associated Press, agricultural officials in Florida announced that they were taking immediate and necessary precautions to get the spread of Zika Virus under control. Politicians of the Sunshine state were quick to reassure tourists it was still safe to visit.
The mayor of Orange County, Teresa Jacobs whose jurisdiction Orlando theme parks including Walt Disney World advice people that they shouldn’t give visiting Florida a second thought. She goes on to say last year they had over 106 million visitors, tourist being the state’s largest industry. About Florida theme parks she says, “have mosquito control down like no place else I don’t think on the planet.”
However, not all potential tourists are concurring with the elected officials.
Recently, local mom Danielle Chase Gamarra cancelled her daughter Izzy’s Make a Wish Trip to Disney World in Orlando. Izzy Gamarra has a brain cancer called juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma and she is therefore immunocompromised. Her grandmother Karen and grandfather Eddie were happy the trip was cancelled for now. “We just can’t take that chance with all the Zika reports in Florida,” said Karen.
ZIKA NOT A NEW VIRUS
Many medical experts issued a report warning pregnant women to avoid visiting the Miami area, especially, if their trip involves spending time outdoors. They are most vulnerable to contracting the virus that has been around since 1947 according to World Health Organization (WHO).
First identified in Uganda through a company testing monkeys for yellow fever, Zika virus is transmitted primarily though Aedes mosquitos, mostly found in tropical regions. The first cases of the illness in humans was reported in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania in 1952. Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific have also been infected.
Microcephaly
Zika virus is especially dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause microcephaly, which is a birth defect that affects the brain.
In an article written by the staff at the famed Mayo Clinic, it is believed that Microcephaly (pronounced my-kroh-SEF-uh-lee) is a rare neurological condition in which an infant’s head is significantly smaller than the heads of other children of the same age and sex. Sometimes detected at birth, microcephaly usually is the result of the brain developing abnormally in the womb or not growing as it should after birth.
Microcephaly can also be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Children with microcephaly often have severe developmental issues. Generally, there’s no treatment for microcephaly, but early intervention with supportive therapies, such as speech and occupational therapies, may help enhance a child’s development and improve quality of life. However, the cost of treating an infant born with microcephaly over a lifetime is immeasurable both financially and emotionally for the families of that child.
Other disorders caused by the Zika-carrying mosquitos include defects of the eyes, impaired growth and hearing, which often can be detected by OB-GYN’s before a pregnant woman gives birth. It can also cause Guillain-Barre-syndrome in anyone which is a rare illness that attacks the nervous system.
Now, with more cases of the mosquito-borne virus making its way around the country, it is part of the daily news reports both print and broadcast in the 24/7 news cycle.
Zika virus can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse with an infected partner in addition to the mosquito bite.
Many people concerned about contracting Zika are taking precautions, such as spraying themselves and their clothes with DEET bug repellant. Some are staying indoors at night; people are also getting rid of any stagnant water.
Suffolk County’s Zika Plan of Action
Get the Buzz on Mosquito Protection from Suffolk County Department of Health Services
Education is a key component of Suffolk County’s Zika Action Plan. The Department of Health Services has developed a new brochure to inform residents about the Zika virus and other diseases that can be transmitted by mosquitoes. The brochure also provides information about how to protect yourself from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.
A brochure can be downloaded in English or Spanish on the Health Department’s website.
Protection
Some mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn, but others will bite any time of day.
- When possible, wear protective clothing with long sleeves and long pants.
- Use repellents that are EPA approved, with EPA labeling on the product.
- Be sure to reapply repellent as often as indicated on the label.
- Be sure to follow label directions.
- Do NOT spray repellent on skin under clothing.
- If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and repellent second.
- Use fans outdoors to prevent mosquitoes from flying around you.
If you have a baby or child:
- When possible, dress children in protective clothing with long sleeves and long pants.
- Do NOT use repellent on babies younger than two months old.
- Cover baby carriages with mosquito nets.
- Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cut or irritated skin.
- Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
Five Important Steps to Protection
You are the first line of defense against mosquitoes around your home. Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Even small amounts of water can act as breeding sites for mosquitoes. These five steps done weekly will help reduce mosquitoes in your yard.
- Keep Your Yard Tidy – Fill any holes in your yard and unclog gutters. Maintain swimming pools and keep grass trimmed.
- Repair Screens – Make sure all window and door screens are free of holes and rips that could allow mosquitoes to enter your home.
- Remove Standing Water – Dump water from outdoor items such as children’s toys, birdbaths, planters, dog bowls, and garbage cans. Turnover, cover, or drill holes in the bottom of the items that can hold water and are left outside, like garbage cans.
- Scrub Items that Hold Water – After you dump water from a container, mosquito eggs may remain on the sides, even if you cannot see them. Scrubbing items clean will remove these eggs.
- Prepare – Get ready for mosquito season by having EPA approved repellents on hand.
Questions?
Call the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Information Line: 631-787-2200
If you have a concern about mosquitoes or to report an abandoned/stagnant swimming pool or standing water contact Suffolk County Vector Control: 631-852-4270