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ber tend to swamp out the mosquito species that transmits West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses, entomologists say. Similar conditions happened following hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, according to Jonathan Day, professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida. Too much water flushed immature mosquitoes from hatching sites, Day said, and diluted the nutrients they need, starving the larvae.
While rains can swamp out West Nile, the mosquito species that transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses thrive under the extreme wet conditions. And those mosquitoes bite during the day.
Brevard has had three cases of chikungunya this past summer, all imported from the Caribbean, as well as two imported cases of dengue.
All five people recovered.
Less than 2 percent of chikungunya cases are fatal. But symptoms include joint pain, fever, headache and rash.
Similar to dengue fever, mosquitoes can bite an infected person and spread the virus to another person.
Health officials warn residents to empty standing water from discarded tires, shells, pots and other containers where the mosquitoes that spread the disease breed.
Most people can fend off West Nile and the other mosquito-borne viruses, but older people and those with compromised immune systems, diabetes, heart disease or other health problems are at greater risk for more serious illness.
Most of those infected with West Nile suffer only a slight headache.
Other symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, rash, swollen lymph nodes, digestive problems, eye pain, aches, weakness, back pain, stiff neck, confusion and loss of consciousness.
In severe cases, the virus can cause encephalitis — a potentially fatal swelling of the brain — or swelling of the spinal cord or tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Avoidance is the best medicine, health officials say.
"The virus is there. We have to be very careful," Heshmati said.
Mosquito safety tips
• Avoid exposure to mosquitoes. Stay indoors during peak biting times.
• Wear mosquito repellents when outside during peak biting times. Use mosquito repellents containing the active ingredient DEET, and follow all directions on the label.
• Make sure window and door screens are in good repair.
• Remove unnecessary sources of water outside the home.
While rains can swamp out West Nile, the mosquito species that transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses thrive under the extreme wet conditions. And those mosquitoes bite during the day.
Brevard has had three cases of chikungunya this past summer, all imported from the Caribbean, as well as two imported cases of dengue.
All five people recovered.
Less than 2 percent of chikungunya cases are fatal. But symptoms include joint pain, fever, headache and rash.
Similar to dengue fever, mosquitoes can bite an infected person and spread the virus to another person.
Health officials warn residents to empty standing water from discarded tires, shells, pots and other containers where the mosquitoes that spread the disease breed.
Most people can fend off West Nile and the other mosquito-borne viruses, but older people and those with compromised immune systems, diabetes, heart disease or other health problems are at greater risk for more serious illness.
Most of those infected with West Nile suffer only a slight headache.
Other symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, rash, swollen lymph nodes, digestive problems, eye pain, aches, weakness, back pain, stiff neck, confusion and loss of consciousness.
In severe cases, the virus can cause encephalitis — a potentially fatal swelling of the brain — or swelling of the spinal cord or tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Avoidance is the best medicine, health officials say.
"The virus is there. We have to be very careful," Heshmati said.
Mosquito safety tips
• Avoid exposure to mosquitoes. Stay indoors during peak biting times.
• Wear mosquito repellents when outside during peak biting times. Use mosquito repellents containing the active ingredient DEET, and follow all directions on the label.
• Make sure window and door screens are in good repair.
• Remove unnecessary sources of water outside the home.
