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Public Health monitors mosquitos

Airman 1st Class Robin Brown, 47th Medical Group public health technician, assembles a mosquito trap on Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 8, 2016. The specialized trap captures samples that are sent to a lab for examination. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Benjamin N. Valmoja)

Airman 1st Class Robin Brown, 47th Medical Group public health technician, assembles a mosquito trap on Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 8, 2016. The specialized trap captures samples that are sent to a lab for examination. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Benjamin N. Valmoja)

Airman 1st Class Robin Brown, 47th Medical Group public health technician, assembles a mosquito trap on Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 8, 2016. The specialized trap captures samples that are sent to a lab for examination. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Benjamin N. Valmoja)

Airman 1st Class Robin Brown, 47th Medical Group public health technician, assembles a mosquito trap on Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 8, 2016. The specialized trap captures samples that are sent to a lab for examination. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Benjamin N. Valmoja)

Airman 1st Class Robin Brown, 47th Medical Group public health technician, ensures her mosquito trap is sealed properly, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 8, 2016. The specialized mosquito trap utilizes a human-like-scent to lure and contain mosquitos that will be tested for the Zika virus. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Benjamin N. Valmoja)

Airman 1st Class Robin Brown, 47th Medical Group public health technician, ensures her mosquito trap is sealed properly, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 8, 2016. The specialized mosquito trap utilizes a human-like-scent to lure and contain mosquitos that will be tested for the Zika virus. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Benjamin N. Valmoja)

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Interest in the Zika virus has been on the rise and concerns have been expressed nationwide.

Here at Laughlin, the 47th Medical Group is constantly monitoring the mosquito-borne virus.

According to the 47th MDG public health flight, Zika is a virus that can cause disease in humans and is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can also be sexually transmitted between partners. Zika can cause fever, rash, joint or muscle pain and headache in those infected, as well as possible birth defects with infected mothers while pregnant.

Staff Sgt. Natasha Morrison, 47th MDG public health NCO in charge, said the virus has not been detected in the mosquitos at Laughlin, yet.

Currently, the Zika outbreak is occurring in regions around the world, to include the Caribbean, South, and Central America and recently Florida, according to the 47th MDG. The Florida Department of Health has identified two areas in Miami-Dade County where Zika is being spread by mosquitoes. There have been many cases in the United States, 191 of which are in Texas, where most individuals affected had recently travelled outside of the U.S.

“There is one confirmed travel case for Val Verde County,” Morrison said. “Which means it was contracted while the person was traveling outside the U.S. and came back with symptoms was tested and positive for Zika.”

In response to the rise in concern about the virus, the public health office sets up mosquito traps on base to monitor mosquitos.

A series of specially designed traps are placed around base aimed at capturing mosquitos, Morrison said. Since female mosquitos are the ones carrying the disease, since they are the ones that actually bite, they sorted and sent to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for lab examination. From there, the lab sends a report of the samples regarding vector-borne diseases to include Zika and other common threats.

Airman 1st Class Robin Brown, a public health technician, explained mosquitos breed and lay eggs in stagnant water. Standing water is the biggest contributor to mosquitos, as they can lay eggs in even the smallest puddles.

 

“For those who live in housing, I recommend keeping your grass cut, making sure that any containers are emptied after it rains to avoid stagnant water and when outdoors, use insect repellent,” said Capt. DeAndre Opoku, 47th MDG public health flight commander.

 

In order to combat the mosquito population, the 47th Civil Engineering Squadron has also deployed different tactics such as spraying pesticides to kill mosquitos and dropping anti-larva pellets in standing water around base.

While the Zika virus may have some concerned, there are systems in place to help protect the Laughlin community. The public health office is open to any questions regarding the virus before or after travelling outside of the U.S., said Morrison.