FAIRFIELD, Connecticut (May 31, 2016) – As spring turns into summer, mosquitos will become more prevalent and with this comes an increasing risk of mosquito-borne diseases. During the month of June, members from the Fairfield Easton
Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Fairfield’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Health Department staff will be going door to door in Fairfield raising awareness on how to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, like Zika. This campaign is part of a joint mosquito control effort by many Town of Fairfield departments including the Health, Conservation, Public Works, Police, Fire, Recreation, Libraries and Fairfield Public Schools. Throughout this door to door campaign, MRC members will provide residents information on two simple steps that can be taken to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Step 1: start eliminating breeding areas on your property to prevent adult mosquitoes from laying eggs near your home. Continue checking for standing water throughout the summer till the first frost. Any item or area that has standing water for 7 days after a rain event can be a mosquito breeding area.
Step 2: don’t go outside when mosquitoes are active (between dusk and dawn) but if you do, use mosquito repellant and wear protective clothing such as hats, long sleeve shirt and pants. Keep mosquitos outside by ensuring all screens are in good
repair. In addition, MRC, CERT and Health Department members will provide all households visited with an informational door hanger as reminder for mosquito prevention. As the number of travel associated and sexually transmitted Zika cases continues to increase it is important that residents are made aware of the ways they can protect themselves and their loved ones. Anyone who is traveling outside the continental United States should be aware of countries currently being affected by the virus.
For an up to date list of these countries please visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika. Zika virus has been linked to birth defects in children born to women exposed to the virus during pregnancy. Pregnant women and those trying to conceive should consider delaying travel to areas where Zika is active. If you have or are planning to travel to a country with Zika virus, or have been infected with the virus, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/zika for guidelines on how to prevent the spread of Zika, especially if you are trying to conceive. If you are pregnant and concerned that you or your partner may have or had Zika virus infection, talk to your healthcare provider.
The Town of Fairfield is asking all residents for their help in preventing mosquito-borne diseases. It is important to eliminate standing water on your property but also to report any standing water on private property, such as abandoned pools to the Fairfield Health Department at 203-256- 3020. Taking these steps now can greatly reduce the presence of mosquitos and the diseases they can cause.
For more information on mosquito-borne diseases or Zika virus, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov. For questions please contact the Fairfield Health Department at 203-256- 3020. Contact: Santina Galbo Jaronko, MS, CHES – Health Educator Phone: 203-256- 3150 or Email: sjaronko@fairfieldct.org
(Fairfield Board Of Health Press Release)
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