KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department Environmental Health staff will be setting several mosquito traps throughout Kalamazoo County from now until September to capture and identify potential disease carrying mosquitoes.
Health staff say the data collected is reported to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and is used to inform future prevention and education measures.
“Mosquito surveillance is critical work that must be done in order to provide our citizens with information on steps they can take to reduce disease transmission this summer,” said Environmental Health Division Chief Lucas Pols.
Environmental Health will be performing surveillance for the mosquitoes known to carry Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). These mosquitos (Culiseta melanura and Coquitllettidia perturbans) will be trapped, identified, and tested for EEE, with information from the findings to be shared with the community.
Officials also warn that Southern Michigan is also in the migration pattern of the Aedes albopictus mosquito (Asian Tiger Mosquito), one that can carry the ZIKA virus. Though the mosquito is not currently known to be present in Kalamazoo County, Environmental Health is working closely with the Emerging & Zoonotic Infectious Disease Section (EZID) of the MDHHS.
Traps will be set up to perform surveillance activity for this mosquito.
In addition, Environmental Health will be conducting several tick drags this summer in order to capture and identify blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) which are known to transmit Lyme disease.
How To Prevent Mosquito-Borne And Tick-Borne Diseases:
- Empty and wash all outdoor containers that collect water (small pools, feeding bowls, open rain collection barrels, buckets, birdbaths, etc.) at least once a week.
- Keep swimming pools properly treated to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
- Keep trash containers properly covered.
- Use and repair screens on your home windows.
- Wear tall socks, pants and long sleeves when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn.
- Use insect repellent with DEET and registered by the EPA on skin and treat clothing with permethrin to repel biting insects. Always follow label directions.
For more information about mosquito and tick surveillance, visit www.kalcounty.com/hcs/eh or call 269-373-5210.
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