Russell Hopkins, Director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness for NET Health (contributed photo)

While we welcome springtime in East Texas, there is a potential killer among us — mosquitoes. 

Mosquitoes are remarkably hardy little creatures that can live through drought, withstand freezing temperatures and adapt to the reduction of habit that is suitable to raising their young larva. There are species of mosquito that travel long distances to feed while others live their entire life within 150 meters of their birth place.

They can lay eggs in the smallest of places, such as a bottle cap, and those eggs can live up to a year without the necessary moisture needed to hatch. Some types spend the entire day feeding while others are only active during sunset and sunrise. Some species have little interest in humans while others live in close proximity to us.

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. Their need to survive includes the potential to spread diseases that can become a life-threatening issue to humans and to animals, such as Dengue Fever, Chikungunya, Yellow Fever, West Nile virus, Zika, and several types of encephalitis.

NET Health receives numerous disease reports throughout the year, and these zoonotic diseases usually peak in late summer and many of these reports involve livestock (horses, cows, etc.) and pets. However, human cases typically outnumber animal cases and are the most alarming. Dengue Fever and West Nile come in both a less severe fever and the more devastating neuro-invasive illness.

The Zika virus, while not as devastating to adults (up to 80 percent have no symptoms), can have life-threatening consequences for newborns. Horses are especially susceptible to the different types of encephalitis and dogs experience heart worms and other cardiomyopathy conditions. Malaria, one of the world’s most deadly diseases, has been eradicated from the southern United States through the elimination of mosquito breeding grounds.

Most of us are familiar with the 4D’s of mosquito prevention – dress in light long-sleeve clothing, limiting daytime outside activity at dusk and dawn, apply mosquito spray that contains DEET, and drain any standing water on your property. The preventive measures that are in the 4D’s can be taken reduce the prevalence of disease and mosquito populations.

Be sure that window screens and doors are in good repair and fit or close tightly. Remove debris from ditches, and gutters. Make sure ruts are filled in and don’t collect water. Check plants that get moved indoors so they don’t contain standing water. Drill holes in containers that cannot be moved. Keep grass and pasture mowed.

Although the 4 D’s are easy to remember and apply into our daily lives, there are some precautions for which you should be aware. Women who are pregnant should be careful to only apply DEET to clothing and not directly to bare skin. If draining water is often not feasible, insecticide treatment would be preferable in some cases. Also, make sure that all water reservoirs are removed, as these can include tires, unused flower pots, kids toys and non-circulating water in bird baths.

Russell Hopkins is the Director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness for NET Health. Send questions or ideas for future column topics to ContactUs@netphd.org.