SCHAUMBURG, Ill., July 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A number of U.S.
states have reported cases of West Nile virus in 2013 as experts
warn of the potential for a second consecutive year of increased
activity for the virus. The predictions are based largely on the
hot, dry weather conditions in many regions of the U.S. that could
resemble 2012, a year that produced the most West Nile virus deaths
in U.S. history.
"West Nile Virus may have fallen off of the public's radar a bit
in recent years, but there was definitely a lot of awareness
generated around the disease following last year's outbreak," said
Dean Gaiser, regional sales manager
for Central Life Sciences. "Mosquito abatement districts and public
health departments will be more vigilant this year as people keep a
closer watch, and public education will be more important than
ever."
According to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
report, 2012 West Nile virus activity included 5,674 total cases of
the disease in people and 286 deaths. Total reported cases were the
second highest ever since the disease was first tracked in the U.S.
in 1999, and the number of deaths was the highest ever. The CDC
report cited higher than usual temperatures in 2012 as a likely
factor in the record-high West Nile virus activity as hot and dry
conditions are ideal for the breeding of Culex mosquitoes and lead
to more interactions between birds and mosquitoes sharing limited
water pools.
While mosquito control efforts are predominantly the
responsibility of mosquito abatement districts and public health
departments, Gaiser adds that each member of the community can take
actions to help control mosquito activity. There are a number of
precautions people in the community can take around their homes,
including:
- Turning over pails and emptying planters or anything that can
hold stagnant water, allowing mosquitoes to breed
- Changing and maintaining the water in ornamental ponds,
birdbaths, wading pools and other receptacles that require water to
function
- Practicing good sanitation around the home as litter and debris
in the yard can collect water and enable mosquito breeding
- Covering openings for standing water sources, such as septic
tanks, rain barrels, and catch basins with fine mesh screening
- Clearing gutters in the spring and fall
- Filling natural depressions in landscaping, tree holes and
rotten stumps with sand to absorb water retained after
rainfall
- Draining abandoned pools or treating regularly with chlorine to
deter egg-laying mosquitoes
- Draining water from tire swings and other backyard play sets
and drilling holes in the bottom to help with drainage
- Watering lawns and gardens minimally to prevent puddles and to
conserve water
- Mowing tall grass to reduce shady areas where mosquitoes prefer
to rest
More household tips, mosquito facts and an interactive map of
typical problem areas can be found at
www.MosquitoPrevention101.com, a public education site created by
Central Life Sciences to help control mosquitoes and fight the
diseases they carry. The site also encourages the importance of
contacting local legislature or mosquito abatement districts to ask
about treatments for standing water in your area and information
about mosquito spraying.
About Central Life Sciences
Central Life Sciences products are a part of Central Garden &
Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA). Central Life Sciences is
dedicated to creating healthier environments and making life better
for people, plants and companion animals around the world. As
inventors of insect growth regulator technology more than 35 years
ago, the founders of Central Life Sciences pioneered biorational
pest control: using the insect's chemistry as a means to reduce
pest populations. To learn more about Central Life Sciences, call
1-800-248-7763 or visit our website at
www.centrallifesciences.com.
SOURCE Central Life Sciences