Desert Messenger

8 www.DesertMessenger.com July 15, 2015 The Smoke Shop Open Year-Round for our local residents Thank you for your support! SEASONAL HOURS 8AM - NOON MONDAY THRU FRIDAY CLOSED SATURDAY AND SUNDAY Antiques • Collectibles • Teacups & Teddy Bears See's Candy Fundraiser for GFWC in season 455 E. Main St. Quartzsite Open Tues. thru Sat. 9-3 928-927-4223 New strains of mosquitos Monsoon season is approaching and the La Paz County Health Department wants the public to be informed about two new strains of mosquito that produce painful results to the human body. "These two viruses are emerging and we have to take care of citizens by informing them. We've dealt with West Nile Virus and encephalitis; with the monsoon season approach- ing people need to be aware of these mosquitoes," stated La Paz County Health Director, Marion Shontz. Dengue virus is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Symp- toms of the virus include high fever, chills, rash, joint or muscle pain, body aches, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting; and begin approximately one week after the mosquito bite. The virus is found throughout the tropics and sub-tropics, it fi rst ap- peared in the Western Hemisphere in 1981. Incubation period is four to seven days and illness duration is three to ten days. There is no vac- cine for this virus. In 2014, there were cases of dengue virus in northern Mexico near the Arizona border. It was reported that Arizona had four cases in 2013; and from September to December 2014, 92 cases were reported, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. A person who has recently trav- eled to a country or region that have the virus brings the other strain chikungunya into the U.S. Symp- toms of chikungunya begin three to seven days after being bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito, which consist of fever and severe joint pain, specifi cally in the hands and feet; headache, muscle pain or rash. Most infected people will feel better within a week, however long-term joint pain can last weeks to months. Death is rare but can occur. According to the Center of Disease Control the virus has been found in parts of Africa, Southern Europe, Southeast Asia and islands in the Indian and Pacifi c Oceans. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya. Protection from Mosquitoes The La Paz County Health De- partment state mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus, brain in- fl ammation (encephalitis) dengue fever and chikungunya to humans and animals. The health department makes the following suggestions: Control Eliminate mosquito-breeding sites on your property. Pesticides can be used to kill adult mosqui- toes and those in the larval stage. Homeowners can pick up pesti- cides at garden stores. Please read and follow the directions. No pesti- cide is 100 percent safe or effective. Prevent All mosquitoes require wa- ter—empty, remove, cover or turn upside down any container that would hold water. Change water and scrub vases hold- ing fl owers or cuttings twice a week. Discard old tires or store them indoors. Screen rain barrels and openings to water tanks or cisterns. Repair leaky plumbing and outside faucets. Protect Dress in light colored clothing, long sleeves, long pants and socks. If possible avoid outdoor activities before dawn and after dusk—when mosquitoes are most active. Properly apply and reapply insect repellent when outdoors, even for a short period of time. Use insect repellent that has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Three repellents that can be used and pose minimal risk are DEET, Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. The county health department has gone to Cibola and Salome to trap mosquitoes and all results have been negative. County Health Department Pub- lic Information Offi cer, Kimberly Poorbaugh said, "We will be ask- ing citizens to assist by giving them mosquito traps." Poorbaugh noted that anyone who has traveled to the tropics (Carib- bean, South America or Central America) who has been bitten by a mosquito infected by dengue or chikungunya can return stateside and a mosquito can bite the infected person and pick up the viruses to spread to other hosts.

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