Mosquitoes and Encephalitis, by Mike Waldvogel

A four year old horse in Halifax County was euthanized after being diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). This was the first reported case of EEE this year in the state. The disease is found most commonly in eastern NC (as in this case). Back at the end of July, we had this year's first case of LaCrosse Encephalitis, diagnosed in a child out in Macon County. In North Carolina, LaCrosse Encephalitis (LCE) occurs most commonly in the western part of the state. Demographically, children under 16 years of age and the elderly are the most susceptible to the disease. There are no human vaccines for either LCE or EEE. There is an EEE vaccine available for horses but booster shots are needed every 6+ months in areas where the disease is most prevalent. Despite the name "equine encephalitis," the major reservoirs for the disease are wild birds. Mosquitoes bite infected birds, acquire the virus, and then transmit it to humans and animals.

With hurricane Irene heading towards our state, the heavy rains will likely create standing water in areas within the storm's path. Those water sources become the breeding grounds for mosquitoes. As people clean up after the hurricane and spend more times outdoors, they are more likely to get bitten by mosquitoes. This doesn't mean that they are likely to get EEE or West Nile Virus or other mosquito-borne diseases but the heavy rains will inevitably lead to increased mosquito activity and it can make working outdoors unpleasant. Anyone working outdoors should take precautions, particularly early morning and evening when some of the more important mosquitoes species are most prevalent. Use a repellent on *exposed* skin and reapply it as needed (e.g., if you're perspiring heavily during cleanup efforts). There are also products containing permethrin (e.g,. 'Permanone') that can be applied to clothing (not to skin). Eliminating pockets of standing water as quickly as possible will help reduce the threat of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.

Also, with the elimination of the Public Health Pest Management Section of DENR in June, organized mosquito abatement efforts following the hurricane will fall to local health departments and mosquito control programs. You may want to contact your local Health Department to verify how they will be handling any inquiries or requests for mosquito control assistance within your county because you are likely to get some calls as well.

Information about mosquitoes and other pests that may become problems following storms can be found on our website:

http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/storm/