Chikungunya Disease 2016

Get prepared for Chikungunya Disease in Atlanta in 2016. Mosquito diseases are not uncommon in Georgia as a whole. However, it is important for you to be aware of what may be coming this spring! Mosquitoes carry many diseases and chikungunya can be very nasty if you are bitten by a mosquito carrying it. You likely know that already, particularly if you have been following our posts. However, 2016 may be offer a particular problem with chikungunya disease.

It has been reported in the January 7th edition of The Augusta Chronicle that a widespread outbreak of chikungunya occurred in the Caribbean in December. This has been confirmed by the Georgia Department of Health, and the Chronicle states that already one patient has been reported in the state as originating from this outbreak.

This is not the first notification of the disease in Georgia, but the first coming from this outbreak. It is important to be aware of this, and to be prepared to avoid being bitten once the temperature heats up and reaches 50 degrees – the temperature around which mosquitoes become active.

What is Chikungunya Disease?

Chikungunya disease is an illness caused by a virus that is passed through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes get the virus by biting people already infected, so local cases are important since they can herald the beginning of an epidemic. Symptoms are fever, joint pain and swelling, muscle pain and a rash.

It’s not something you can ignore, but you can significantly reduce the chances of you being infected. The only way of doing this is to prevent mosquito bites, and if you can do this then you will be highly unlikely to contract the disease. Although chikungunya is not uncommon, you are unlikely to get it if you apply some basic mosquito control practices.

Mr. Mister Mosquito Control Advice

The basic steps to take to avoid mosquito bites include:

• Wear hats, long-sleeved clothing and ankle-length pants.
• Make sure your home is fitted with screened doors and you have screens on your windows. Doors and windows are often opened in the summer, and screens allow fresh air circulation while presenting a barrier to mosquitoes and other insect.Use a net over your bed if you sleep with open windows or doors.
• Use insect repellent, particularly those containing picaridin, eucalyptus oil and other natural insecticides and repellents. We do not recommend DEET if you have young children and pets.
• Limit outside activity to a minimum, particularly in spring when temperatures rise above 50F.
• Use the services of a mosquito control company to give you more extensive and permanent protection.

Professional Treatment

A professional mosquito control system will involve tidying up your yard and removing any areas or items that mosquitoes tend to use for breeding. These include containers such as flower pots, bird baths, old cans or pails, and any other areas of standing water.

We will then spray the entire area to remove any mosquitoes and larvae lying over the winter. Larvae can overwinter in small pools or puddles of water and become adults on the first warm day. Eggs can lie over winter ready to hatch in spring.

Mr. Mister offers a comprehensive mosquito program:

a) Clears up your yard of their favorite breeding areas,
b) Disinfects the entire area using an insecticide spray on the areas where they are likely to breed, plus on the underside of your foliage where adults can hide over winter and
c) Introduces an automatic mosquito misting system to stop these insects entering your yard from the outside.

We can help and will work with you to eradicate mosquitoes from your yard, garden and your home. They can breed in your basement, garage or shed. We can fix it!

If you want to do all you can to protect yourself and your family from chikungunya disease this year, then Contact us Here or call Mr. Mister on (404) 941-0720

Mr. Mister Mosquito Control
4016 Flowers Rd #400
Atlanta, GA 30360
(404) 941-0720