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Mobile County Health Department warns residents against the risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) transmitted by mosquitoes after a chicken has tested positive for the disease, the Department of Health said health in a statement released Monday.
The sentinel chicken came from a cooperative postal code 36582, which is primarily from the Theodore area, said health department officials. The blood is collected weekly from the chickens of this cooperative through the Vector Control of Mobile County Health Departments. The blood is then sent to a laboratory in Tampa, Florida for testing.
"Mosquito bites have no health benefits," said Dr. Bernard H. Eichold II, Health Officer at Mobile Countyh. "Do not let your guard down, EEE has a human mortality rate of between 50% and 75%, while West Nile virus is between 3% and 15%." EEE is a very serious disease transmitted by mosquitoes."
The risk of encephalitis spread by mosquitoes is highest from August to the first frost of autumn, Eichold said.
Four cases of EEE sentinel chickens were reported in Mobile County in 2017, none in 2016 and one in 2015. In August 2018, the Department of Agriculture and Industries of Alabama reported that A horse had been tested positive for EEE testing in Mobile County.
Residents in the area who practice outdoor activities should take precautions to avoid exposure to mosquitoes. Here are the recommendations of the Department of Health:
- Use an insect repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency with the DEET.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Stay and sleep in areas with air conditioning or mosquito nets.
- Remove stagnant water around your house
The EEE is transmitted from bird to bird mosquito. Mosquitoes can transmit these viruses by feeding on the blood of infected birds, then biting another host animal or mammal, such as a human being or a horse. The disease can not be transmitted by people or horses.
The probability of transmission to humans and horses can be reduced by taking precautions to avoid exposure to mosquitoes and by using EEE or West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine in horses. There is no vaccine available for humans.
For approximately 25 years, Vector Control has been monitoring encephalitis in sentinel poultry flocks strategically placed in 13 cages throughout the county to detect the presence of mosquito-borne viruses. Mosquitoes are also trapped and tested for WNV, EEE and St. Louis encephalitis.
To report a mosquito problem, call Vector Services at 251-690-8124.
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