by: Nick Lombardi, WSU intern ‘18
WESTFIELD – The summer’s frequent rainstorms are a welcome change after last year’s drought, but this may have negative consequences to public health.
Dr. Brian Sutton, Emergency Medicine Specialist at Noble Care Express, says that the warm, wet air can increase the spread of mosquitoes in places where standing water is not drained, and as a result, can spread deadly diseases like West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Both diseases have flu-like symptoms and can cause severe illness or death.
An abandoned recycle bin can collect rainwater which could create a breeding ground for disease carrying insects. (Photo by Nick Lombardi)
The best way to protect yourself, Sutton said, is to keep your living area clean and remove standing water that can collect in outdoor vases, pet water bowls, old tires, birdbaths, trash cans, and buckets. If you’re planning an evening out, wear long sleeves or pants to prevent mosquito bites.
This time of the year our pets are at risk as well. Domestic animals can be infected with West Nile Virus, and EEE virus infection spreads among horses.
Puddles that remain for days and weeks will be locations for disease carrying insects to breed. (WNG file photo)
Cats and Dogs can also get heartworms from mosquitoes, so be sure pets are up to date with their heartworm pills.
Outdoor pets can also get sick from drinking stagnant water. If your yard is close to the woodlands, where puddles collect, then this can happen.
Not only our pets, but we must keep children from playing in stagnant water. If ingested, stagnant water can cause one of many diarrhea illnesses, some of which can be fatal like Shigella or Amoebiasis.
Children must also be kept away from the water that drips from air conditioning units, as this contaminated water can cause Legionnaires Disease, a type of pneumonia that effects weak immune systems.
Given the recent case of West Nile Virus in Berkshire County late last month, Dr. Sutton was asked if the public need worry, and the answer is no. This was only a single case and not an outbreak.
West Nile Virus usually appears around August and the chance of a case appearing in Westfield is low.
