The mosquito-transmitted Zika virus is a potential threat to the health of unborn babies in Texas and other states, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has stepped up efforts to educate the public on ways to protect themselves from this new menace, said agency entomologists.
“While people enjoy outdoor activities and travel this summer, it’s important to remember that our first line of defense against Zika is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes,” said Dr. Sonja Swiger, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Stephenville. “The Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes that transmit Zika occur commonly in our backyards where their eggs are laid and larvae live in standing water. Like other mosquito species, they are active at sunrise and sunset, but commonly bite throughout the day as well.”
Swiger said it’s important to remember the “Four Ds” as a first line of defense. They are:
— Drain: Empty standing water, thus eliminating mosquito breeding sites.
— Dress: Put on long sleeved shirts and pants when going outside.
— Defend: Apply mosquito repellent when going outside.
— Dusk and Dawn: Avoid outdoor activity during these two most mosquito-active periods.
Read this Zika Newspaper Article for additional information.
More information is also available at the following websites:
Texasinsects.org
Livestockvetento.tamu.edu
Preventingzika.org
Mosquitosafari.tamu.edu
Additional Publications:
What Texans Need To Know About Zika Virus/ What Texans Need To Know About Zika Virus-Spanish
Mosquitoes and Diseases / Mosquitoes and Diseases-Spanish
Zika Precautions for Women / Zika Precautions for Women-Spanish
Buzz Off! 4 Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites/ Buzz Off! 4 Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites-Spanish
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