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.