City Reports No Cases of Zika, West Nile, Chikungunya and Dengue fever, Urges Residents to Protect Against Mosquito Bites

Maximize your outdoor fun this summer by protecting yourself, your family and pets against mosquitoes. The Pasadena Public Health Department advises you to clean up, cover up and use bug repellant to help “fight the bite.”

As of July 26, 2016, there have been no reported human cases of mosquito-borne diseases including Zika, West Nile, Chikungunya and Dengue fever in Pasadena this year.

While that’s good news locally, California’s drought and residents’ travel plans outside of Pasadena can increase your chances of being bitten by a mosquito, and possibly contracting one of these diseases, if precautions are not taken.

“There are some easy things you can to do to help prevent mosquito bites,” Pasadena Public Health Officer Dr. Ying-Ying Goh said. “Clean up habitats where mosquitoes can breed and grow; cover up by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when weather permits, and use bug repellant.”

Some mosquito eggs can survive without water and drought cycles of heat and intermittent moisture can actually spur mosquito breeding, said Dr. Goh, who offers the following tips and reminders.

Around the home:

• Eliminate all outdoor sources of standing water
• Use a scrub brush and hot soapy water to clean unused, outdoor containers you intend to keep, such as tires, buckets and flower pots, that have had standing water in them; then turn over those unused containers to prevent new standing water from accumulating inside
• Keep swimming pools clean and water circulating; keep filter equipment in good repair
• Check for larvae in ornamental water sources and treat as necessary with “mosquito dunks” available from hardware stores
• Change bird bath water every five (5) days
• Keep ornamental & fish ponds stocked with mosquito fish; use a pump to keep water moving
• Screen and cover rain barrels

At home and when traveling:

• Wear repellants containing DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus
• If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, as conditions permit
• Regularly check yourself for bugs and bites if outdoors for long periods
• Make sure your hotel or lodging has air conditioning and window screens
• Check window screens for holes or tears

West Nile, Chikungunya and Dengue are not contagious from person to person and are spread through mosquito bites. Although primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, Zika virus can be transmitted by sexual partners. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should take precautions against Zika infection because a Zika infection is now known to cause birth defects.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends pregnant women postpone travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus issues. If you return from an affected region and experience fever with joint pain or rash within two weeks following your return, contact your doctor immediately. For more on mosquito-borne diseases, visit www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes.

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