Tag: Zika Virus

West Nile and Zika: Is the Threat Over?

For most of the United States, peak mosquito season is over for now, but in South Florida, mosquito season never really ends. This is why you need to be prepared and stay vigilante year-round. The threat of mosquitos and no-see-ums is always there, along with the risk of getting infected by a disease-carrying mosquito. Here in South Florida, we’ve certainly had our share of battling potentially deadly infections – both West Nile virus and Zika. The question becomes: West Nile and Zika: Is the Threat Over?

SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ has answers and how you can help protect yourself and your family.

West Nile Virus in Florida

West Nile Virus is the number one cause of mosquito-borne illnesses diseases in the United States. You can get the virus from the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. Most people infected don’t have symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of December 11, 2018, 49 states and the District of Columbia have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitos.

Zika Virus in Miami

The Zika Virus, which is also mostly transmitted by mosquito bites from one person to another, arrived in the U.S. in 2016. Transmission of the disease was reported in Miami and Brownsville, TX.  Symptoms include rash, joint pain, fever, and redness in the whites of your eye. But like West Nile Virus, most people experience no symptoms at all. Is Zika Over? According to the CDC, 58 Zika virus disease cases have been reported in the U.S., 10 in Florida alone.

Renewed Threats

We all remember how West Nile and Zika dominated headlines a few years ago, in 2016. The summer of 2017 was pretty quiet with only five cases of West Nile virus being reported.  But action picked up this summer (2018), and as of last month, the state reported 19 cases. In the latest case, a mosquito in Miami tested positive for West Nile.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

There are a number of steps you can take towards preventing no-see-um and mosquito bites. You can also take preventative measures in your backyard. We highly recommend using mosquito control systems to fight these annoying biting insects. A mosquito misting system works best as a preventative approach to the spreading of mosquito and insect-borne diseases.

Try Our Custom-Built Misting System

SWAT Mosquito Misting Systems create a mosquito prevention perimeter around your home via a custom-built misting system. You can set the system to activate three to four times a day for anywhere from 20 to 45 seconds. You will definably notice a difference. We guarantee it!

You can clearly see the difference when comparing it to mosquito fogging.

Call Us and Make an Appointment

So, to answer the question “West Nile and Zika: Is the Threat Over?”, our research says – no, far from it, which is why it’s crucial for you to do what you can, to protect yourself and your family. When looking for mosquito control, call SWAT, Florida’s best mosquito control system and make an appointment for a free consultation and estimate. Call us at 866-900-SWAT or schedule an appointment on our website. We look forward to working with you.

Help fight the Zika Virus with a SWAT Insect Fogging Machine

In the past week, news of the spreading Zika virus has taken the media by storm. Typically more common in Central and South America, there have been 12 reported cases in Florida in the past week – enough for Governor Scott to issue a state of emergency in the five effected counties. For the rest of us, these recent cases serve as a great reminder of the importance of investing in an effective mosquito barrier and perhaps even installing a SWAT pyrethrum yard fogger. Domestically we are accustomed to hearing about West Nile Virus, and for international travelers malaria and dengue steal most of the headlines. So what is the deal with the Zika virus, and what can we do to prevent it?

What is the Zika virus and how can a Pyrethrum yard fogger help fight it?

The Zika virus is a mosquito borne virus that was first discovered in Uganda in the 1940s. It remained relatively isolated for a long time before spreading to the South Pacific. Most recently, the virus has been spreading dramatically throughout Central and South America, and there is a real threat it could extend into the Southern U.S. as well. Thankfully, the 12 reported cases in Florida are all in individuals who were bit by mosquitos while traveling in affected areas. If it does happen to extend into Florida and the Southern U.S., your best defense is to invest in a strong mosquito barrier. Currently, SWAT’s insect fogging technology has proven to be one of the best ways to rid your property of the potential virus-carrying mosquitos.

What would happen if you contracted the Zika virus?

Much like other mosquito born illnesses, the Zika virus has a varying degree of severity. About 1/5 of people with the Zika virus will develop body aches, a fever, rash, nausea, and diarrhea with symptoms dissipating after about one week. The most rare, and severe, forms of the Zika virus can lead to a neurological condition that weakens muscles, damages nerves, and can even paralyze. The more severe symptoms will last weeks, months, or even years. In extreme cases, this condition can even lead to death. Many of the people who contract the virus, however, show no symptoms and have no idea they have become a carrier. While good for the individual, this is very concerning from an epidemiology standpoint. If the right species of mosquito bites an infected individual the insect now becomes a carrier, and the disease can spread rapidly. This is a concern in Florida as the number of reported cases has grown, and now is the perfect time to invest in a preventative insect fogging machine..

While a state of emergency has been issued in Florida for the recent Zika virus reports, it is not yet time to panic. By installing a mosquito barrier or pyrethrum yard fogger from SWAT, you can do your part to keep yourself and your family safe if this virus does start to spread. For more information about this virus, visit the CDC website at: www.cdc.gov/zika/