Summertime means standing water, which can mean mosquitoes, the Zika virus and other diseases.

“The Kentucky Department of Agirculture still goes out and does spraying for the community,” said Tom Buchanan, environmental health program manager for the Barren River District Health Department. “Zika is a new thing for us.”

For more information go to https://pest.ca.uky.edu/EXT/ZIKA/zikaspray.html.

The current risk for Zika in southcentral Kentucky is low, said Barbara Fox, public information officer and KOIN coordinator for the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Communications.

“Mosquito control is critical to preventing Zika virus and minimizing the spread of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases,” she said by email. “To date, 37 cases of Zika virus have been reported in Kentuckians with a travel exposure and/or sexual exposure to someone who traveled to a Zika-affected area.”

We have a public health nuisance with mosquitoes, Buchanan said.

“We go out to the tire dump,” he said. “The EPA would be involved with us.”

Buchanan looks for Aedes albopicpus, also known as the asian tiger mosquito, and the aedes aegypti, also known as the yellow fever mosquito.

“Those two can carry the Zika virus. We have a trapping (device) at Mammoth Cave National Park and in Bowling Green,” he said. “Traps will be set up overnight to see if they were there. They’re sent to the Breathitt Veterinary Lab in Hopkinsville to see if there is Zika in our area.”

Fox said state health officials remind residents to follow the “three Ds” for reducing the mosquito population: Dress – Wear light-colored long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Drain – Eliminate all standing water where mosquitoes breed such as bird baths, tires, buckets and gutters. Defend – use an EPA-approved insect repellent at all times for outdoor activities.

“You have to eliminate standing water buckets and birdbaths. They can lay eggs in as much as you can find in a soft drink cap,” Buchanan said. “Fix leaky faucets and outdoor hoses. Repair screens and windows to keep them out of the house. Dispose of tires and other debris.”

The Zika virus can cause microcephaly – a condition where a baby’s head is smaller than normal because the brain does not develop properly – and other fetal birth defects in infants born to women who are infected during pregnancy, Fox said.

Microcephaly, because of Zika infection, can be found alone or with other birth defects. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red/burning eyes. Many infected individuals have no symptoms at all.

There is no vaccine to prevent infection and no special antiviral treatment for Zika infection.

Zika isn’t the only mosquito-borne illness people should look out for, Fox said. The West Nile virus can cause fatal neurological disease such as encephalitis in humans and horses and can be fatal in certain wild bird species. Chikungunya virus, dengue and Yellow Fever aren’t concerns for most Kentuckians at this time because the risk is only to those traveling to foreign countries where the disease is present. It’s always good to remember to wear protection against mosquitoes both at home and when traveling abroad.

“Apply insect repellent. Follow directions for expectant women and small children,” Buchanan said. “Avoid activity with lots of mosquitoes when going outdoors. Permethrin treated clothing can help permit mosquito bites.”

The Warren County Road Department also will spray for mosquitoes from the roadway both inside and outside the city of Bowling Green. It will do so by request only. To make a request call 270-393-3535.