Nebraska officials say mosquito can transmit Zika virus, yellow fever found for the first time in that state



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A type of mosquito known to spread diseases such as Zika virus, yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya has been discovered in a Nebraska county, public health officials said this week.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Four Corners Health Department said in a statement Tuesday that mosquitoes of the genus Aedes aegypti had been identified in York County. The discovery marks the first time that these mosquitoes – which are usually found in tropical climates – have been located in this state.

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The mosquitoes were discovered during routine mosquito monitoring, which aims to assess the number of mosquitoes carrying West Nile in the state. But sometimes, "mosquito traps give unexpected results that can have an impact on public health," officials said in a press release.

Although Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread the Zika virus and other diseases, "the transmission of these pathogens would force a person currently infected with this disease to be bitten by an Aedes aegypti mosquito, then this mosquito will have to bite another person. infected, "Dr. Tom Safranek, state epidemiologist for the DHHS, said in a statement.

Close-up of the Aedes aegypti mosquito identified in Nebraska.

Close-up of the Aedes aegypti mosquito identified in Nebraska.
(Courtesy of Four Corners Department of Health)

This means that the risk of infection is low and "also depends on the presence or arrival of an infected person in the region," he said.

"This discovery underscores the importance of our mosquito trapping system," said Safranek. "Monitoring and monitoring of existing mosquito types in Nebraska communities is essential, helping us to identify potential public health implications and to implement preventative measures to reduce risks. "

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Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which usually bite humans during the day, can fly only about 500 feet apart, health officials said. Although it is not known for the moment how they arrived in the state, Safranek told Live Well Nebraska that the insects may have arrived in the form of eggs, possibly in worn tires.

The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is to drain stagnant water – such as in bird baths, buckets or pool covers – because stagnant water can serve as fertile ground for these insects. Other preventative measures include covering the skin with long pants and a long-sleeved shirt on the outside and properly using an insect repellent containing DEET.

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