{"id":2604,"date":"2014-07-29T17:16:31","date_gmt":"2014-07-29T17:16:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ocfl.flywheelsites.com\/2014\/07\/orange-county-advises-proactive-measures-to-combat-mosquito-borne-chikungunya-virus\/"},"modified":"2022-01-12T12:13:25","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T17:13:25","slug":"orange-county-advises-proactive-measures-to-combat-mosquito-borne-chikungunya-virus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2014\/07\/orange-county-advises-proactive-measures-to-combat-mosquito-borne-chikungunya-virus\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County Advises Proactive Measures to Combat Mosquito-Borne Chikungunya Virus"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus continues to spread, the Orange County Health Services Department\u2019s Mosquito Control Division<\/a> is urging people to protect themselves from possible infection while taking proactive measures to reduce the threat of an outbreak.<\/p>\n

Chikungunya (\u201cchik-en-GUN-ya\u201d)<\/a> produces flu-like symptoms characterized by high fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus, which is seldom fatal and cannot be spread by humans or animals, usually resolves on its own.<\/p>\n

The mosquitoes capable of transmitting chikungunya locally \u2013 the Aedes albopictus<\/em> (Asian Tiger mosquito<\/a>) and Aedes aegypti<\/em> (Yellow Fever mosquito<\/a>) \u2013 are small, black-and-silver insects. They bite primarily during the day and sleep at night and are not a threat to animals. Unlike most other mosquitoes, they are found near residences in containers \u2013 not in large bodies of water, such as lakes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese mosquitoes breed in standing water found in areas close to homes, schools and playgrounds \u2013 in places like gutters, flat roofs, tire swings, children\u2019s toys, bird baths, plant saucers, trash cans, and even something as small as a bottle cap,\u201d Tom Breaud, manager of the Orange County Mosquito Control Division, said. \u201cWe need the help of every citizen to eliminate standing water on their property, because this disease is preventable. The mosquito can go from egg to adult in seven days, so draining and dumping unnecessary water around your residence is essential to prevention.\u201d<\/p>\n

Children and seniors are not more susceptible to the virus, but they are likely to suffer more serious symptoms. There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection, and the virus can only be treated symptomatically.<\/p>\n

Important Facts and Recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n