JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
With summer in full swing and the increase of outdoor activity increases, the probability of encountering a mosquito or tick rises. While people are not expected to completely isolate themselves from society, there are precautions, which can be taken to reduce the risk of being bitten or even infected with a virus or disease.
Mosquitoes
At Langley there are approximately 30 mosquito species, most of which are potential carriers of diseases, such as the West Nile and Zika viruses. The 633rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Office and 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron Pest Management team surveillance for on- and off-base mosquito locations daily. There are also traps set, that people should avoid tampering with. To help reduce the chances of being bitten this summer, keep the following tips in mind:
1. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
2. Keep screened windows and doors closed.
3. Use Environmental Protection Agency registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET (33%), picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-methane-diol. Carefully follow label instructions.
4. Keep mosquitoes from laying eggs. Once a week, empty, turn over, cover or throw out any items that may hold still water such as tires, buckets, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers or trash containers.
5. Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like patio furniture, under carports, or in garages. Use an outdoor flying insect spray on, or in these areas and follow the insecticide label instructions.
6. If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vents or plumbing pipes and use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
Ticks
Ticks can infect humans with bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause serious illnesses, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia disease.
Here are some safeguards to reduce the risk of being bitten.
1. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirts. Tuck pants legs into socks or boots and shirts into pants.
2. Wear light-colored, tightly woven clothing, which will allow a dark tick to be seen more easily.
3. Apply tick repellent when necessary and carefully follow instructions on the label.
4. Check yourself, family members and pets thoroughly for ticks. Carefully inspect areas around the head, neck, ears, under arms, between legs and back of knees.
5. Shower or bathe, preferably within two hours after being in a tick habitat, to more easily find ticks.
Ticks are properly removed by grasping them with clean tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pulling straight out. Seek medical attention if a tick’s head is stuck in the skin after removal. If a tick remains intact after removal, it can be tested for diseases. Be sure to note when and where ticks were found.
For more information about mosquitoes and ticks, visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/DiseasesConditions/ and https://www.cdc.gov/features/stopticks/index.html, or the state website at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/zika-virus-update/.
For any questions, concerns or additional information, contact the 633rd AMDS Public Health Office at 764-6731.