Public Works

Stormwater detention/retention ponds do not typically breed mosquitoes. However, there are numerous other potential breeding sites near many Charleston County residences. Because mosquitoes must have water to carry out their life cycle, several types of containers, yard ornaments, structures and other items can produce hundreds of mosquitoes from just a single rain event. Birdbaths, buckets, toys, pet dishes, plant pots, abandoned or neglected swimming pools, and even boats can be a major source of mosquitoes. You can be a "mosquito fighter" in your neighborhood by taking a few simple steps to ensure that a little standing water does not turn into a big mosquito problem:

• Flush birdbaths (twice a week), potted plant saucers, pet dishes and other objects that hold water every three days.
• Put window screening over rain-collecting barrels and buckets
• Keep roof gutters cleaned of leaves and branches.
• Cover swimming pools or clean out debris and maintain recommended chlorine or other chemical levels.
• Pull drain plugs out of uncovered boats and make sure that boat covers are pulled tight to shed rainwater.
• Keep yard clean of toys and other items that hold water.

Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal disease affecting the heart and adjacent vessels of a dog or cat. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it ingests microfilariae (microscopic worms). These young worms are in the saliva of the mosquito. When an infected mosquito feeds on an uninfected animal, the microfilariae are transferred into the bloodstream infecting the bitten dog or cat. The easiest way of controlling heartworm disease is by using heartworm preventative tablets, milbemycin oxime, given monthly. The preventative tablets kill larvae before they develop into adult heartworms.

Protect your animals! Contact your veterinarian for more information on Heartworm Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and the West Nile Virus.

The West Nile Virus first appeared in the United States. in 1999. Previous outbreaks have occurred in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Mosquitoes become infected with the West Nile Virus when they feed on infected birds. After an incubation period of 10 days to two weeks, infected mosquitoes can transmit the West Nile Virus to humans and animals while biting to take blood. The incubation period in humans is usually five to 15 days; there is no vaccine or treatment for the West Nile Virus in humans. The West Nile Virus is not transmitted from person-to-person. Symptoms include fever, headache and body aches. More severe symptoms include high fever, stupor, convulsions and, rarely, death.

If you think you have been exposed to the West Nile Virus, seek medical care. People 50 years of age or older have the highest risk of severe disease.