Public health warns base populace of mosquito season dangers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  As this year's mosquito season gets underway, the 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron's public health flight offers some sound advice to help people avoid these pesky and sometimes disease-carrying insects.

Starting this month, the flight will be surveying areas and setting up traps around base to help combat the insects, but a crucial step in this process is public awareness.

"It's very important that the public be aware of the possible diseases in the area, the way diseases are spread (such as through mosquitoes feeding off human blood) and ways to prevent them," said Senior Airman Tessie Rachels, 31st AMDS public health technician. "Education is the key to prevention."

There are three major types of mosquitoes people may come across this season which include Aedes, Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes.

"We are mostly concerned with Aedes mosquitoes due to their capability to transmit diseases," said Airman Rachels. "The Asian Tiger mosquito (aedes albopictus) is especially prevalent in northern Italy and is known to transmit Chikungunya. We are also concerned because it has the capability of spreading West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever in humans, as well as heartworms in pets."

The Asian Tiger mosquito is black with a white stripe running from its head down the center of its back with white bands around its legs. The mosquito is approximately one eighth of an inch long.

"They are attracted to dark clothing, perspiration and carbon dioxide and tend to be day-biters," said Airman Rachels. "They also breed in any sort of water-filled containers, such as in tree holes or old buckets."

According to public health, the best ways to reduce mosquito-borne diseases are through mosquito control and personal protection.

Some personal protection measures people can take include: 

1) Ensure all windows and screens are intact. 

2) Use insect repellant that contains DEET on exposed areas of the skin. (Avoid applying to the hands and face) 

3) Wear light clothing that covers most of the body, keeping as much of the skin and hair covered as is practical. 

4) Avoid bright colored and floral print clothing. 

5) Remove old tires, children's toys, buckets and other materials where water can collect from your yard.

Between May and September, public health, along with the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron pest management flight will be surveying areas of the base for standing or running water as well as seeking out places of poor drainage to help locate potential mosquito breeding sites.

The public health flight has also placed three mosquito traps in Area F (the flight line area) and one in Area 1. The traps are flagged with orange tape. People are asked not to tamper with these traps.

"Surveying is a crucial step in identifying the types and numbers of mosquitoes in our area," said Airman Rachels. "Based on this information, we can make recommendations to prevent or eliminate their breeding sites and reduce the risk of disease transmission."

Public health also warns people traveling abroad to make sure they are knowledgeable on what types of mosquitoes are prevalent in the areas they are traveling to as well as on ways to protect themselves.

The Centers for Disease Control Web site, located at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx , is a great source to find this information, said Airman Rachels.

For more information, call public health at 632-6260/5521 or 0434-30-6260/-5521.