With the hurricane and mosquito seasons here, more than 500 cases of Zika confirmed nationally and 162 in Florida, and Congress locked in inaction over Zika funding, some in the medial profession are urging individuals to take more personal responsibility for protecting themselves.
Since Congress and the president can’t agree over how much is required to fund the efforts to combat the Zika virus, it has resulted in a stalemate where the president is asking for $1.9 billion, the Senate is offering $1.1 billion, and the House “a mere” $622 million.
So far, all the Zika infections in this country have been contracted abroad and the majority of Florida cases are located in the southern part of the state.
Some officials, however, are reportedly worried that, with the advent of the storm season and wetter weather, the virus might spread to domestic mosquitoes.
Even if the virus doesn’t spread, however, physicians are warning that insect-borne illnesses other than Zika pose a danger and warrant people taking steps to protect themselves.
“There are many mosquito-borne or tick illnesses, including several viruses that cause encephalitis, West Nile and Lyme disease, that Americans can’t forget about and must protect themselves from this summer,” cautions Dr. Jay Kaplan, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). “Taking protective measures when going outside is the best way to stay safe.”
According to the ACEP, avoiding bites is the easiest and most effective way to avoid insect-carried diseases. Thus, the organization suggests certain time-tested steps to avoid insect bites and their associated diseases. These include appropriately using insect repellents; wearing the appropriate attire outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes are most prevalent; utilizing mosquito nets when camping outdoors in “at-risk” locations; purchasing pre-treated clothing for travel; and checking head, body and clothes for ticks after coming indoor from wooded areas.
Others of the preventative measures that the ACEP recommends entail eliminating standing water from around dwellings, keeping screens on doors and windows intact, and contacting the health department to dispose of dead birds, which may be infected and transmit infections to mosquitoes.
And always, the ACEP advises, take precautions and visit your doctor or nearest emergency department and get checked if you think you have any symptoms.