Mosquito Dangers; Vector Diseases & Zika Virus
Mosquitoes have been known to cause a lot of problems throughout Southeast Florida. With Southeast Florida Pest Control servicing Boca Raton, Delray Beach and surrounding areas commercial properties and residential homes, we are the leading authority in pest control. Dealing with mosquitoes is no exception! Southeast Florida Pest Control has been providing pest control services to our valued customers for over 20 years. We are fully insured and licensed and our experienced and skilled technicians are certified and trained. With the latest health issues mosquitoes pose, we feel it is important to share some information regarding mosquitoes and the vector diseases they transmit including Zika virus.
Mosquitoes Transmit Diseases
Mosquitoes have been known to crash many parties. They are insidious in their spreading of mosquito-borne diseases and other health ailments that keep many people inside. Though many mosquitoes are not infectious, the possibilities are high enough that Southeast Florida Pest Control takes all necessary precautions.
Mosquito Breeding in Stagnant Water
When females lay eggs, she can lay up to 100 eggs, and do so in stagnant water; just a few inches of standing water will do. After eggs hatch, the larvae are born and require water to develop. After shedding several layers of skin over the course of a week or so, they become pupal. Pupals stick to the watery surfaces until adulthood.
Mosquito Spread Vector Diseases such as West Nile, Yellow & Dengue Fever, Encephalitis, Chikungunya & Zika Virus
The name mosquito derives from the Spanish word meaning small fly. Mosquitoes are part of the fly/gnat classification. With their recognizable buzzing, most know when the females are nearby searching for a host, as they only require blood feasts for reproduction, and the males stick to nectar. The vector human diseases they can transmit are; malaria, encephalitis, yellow fever, dengue, encephalitis, chikungunya and filariasis to name a few. In birds and horses and people, mosquitoes have been known to pass along the West Nile virus. And Zika virus is on the rise as well.
Southeast Florida Pest Control Expounds on the Diseases and Threats Mosquitoes Pose
Malaria: Malaria is not spread from human to human, but generally from infected mosquitoes. Malaria is quite serious and even fatal. Symptoms are high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like symptoms. Malaria is a major concern in parts of Africa and South Asia. Though U.S. citizens can get it from traveling to such places and getting infected by a mosquito carrying the disease, it isn’t unheard of for some cases to have been infected in the United States.
Encephalitis: Encephalitis is a virus, transmitted from mosquitoes. The brain and spinal cord suffer from severe inflammation. With the inflammation the following symptoms can manifest; fever, headache, seizures, change in behavior or confusion and, in extreme cases, can cause brain damage, stroke, or even death.
Yellow fever: Yellow fever is more common throughout Florida. It is a dangerous, flu-like disease that can be fatal. Yellow fever is fast acting, and shows its ugly side within six days of being infected. Symptoms include headaches, muscle aches, joint aches, chills, and fever. An acute phase of yellow fever can appear and the symptoms are headaches, muscle aches, joint aches, fever, flushing, a loss of appetite, shivers, and backaches. Most recover after this stage, but there have been patients getting more severe. If that should occur, it is known as the toxic phase, and symptoms are the same as the acute phase, along with the following: decreased urination, abdominal pain, vomiting (sometimes with blood), heart rhythm problems, seizures, delirium, and bleeding from the nose, mouth, and eyes. The toxic phase only has been documented in about 15% of yellow fever cases, but during this phase it more often fatal.
Dengue fever: Dengue fever is a painful disease derived from mosquitoes. This virus is rampant in other countries, and U.S. cases occur when traveling abroad. Symptoms show up between 4-6 days after exposure, and can last up to 10 days, symptoms are; sudden, high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, which appears two to five days after the onset of fever, and mild bleeding (such a nose bleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising). In some cases, the symptoms are mild and assumed to be the flu.
Filariasis: Filariasis is a parasitic disease that are microscopic thread-like worms, that once passed on from mosquito, can also then be past to human from human. In most cases no clinical symptoms will manifest. However, in a smaller percentage of cases, people can develop lymphedema.
West Nile Virus: The West Nile virus most of the time doesn’t show symptoms in people, although one in every five people experience headaches, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. In less than 1% of cases, severe cases develop neurological disorders symptoms include; headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis. Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 years of age are more susceptible to severe disease. Folks with specific medical conditions such as; kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, as well as patients who have received organ transplants are more prone to severe disease. The recovery from severe disease can potentially take several weeks or months. However, some of the neurological effects may be permanent. Unfortunately, about 10% of the patients who develop the neurological infection due to West Nile virus will die.
Zika Virus: Zika virus is often transmitted to people from an infected mosquito. Many do not realize they have been infected as symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis or red eyes. Zika virus is rarely fatal. The real danger lies in pregnant women, as Zika virus can cause a serious birth defect known as microcephaly, along with as other severe fetal brain defects.
Mosquito Inspections, Control & Prevention in Boca Raton, Delrey Beach & Surrounding Areas of Florida
Mosquito control services are offered by Southeast Florida Pest Control and is extended to commercial businesses and residential homes in Raton, Delray Beach and surrounding areas. With our superior mosquito control services, your loved ones are better safeguarded. Call us today to get started.