Protect Your Family from Mosquito Borne Illness

Screened enclosures protect against mosquito borne illnesses like Zika without hazardous and toxic pesticides.

With mosquito season in full swing, we at All Custom Aluminum would like to remind folks to be cognizant of the many mosquito borne pathogens which can affect the health and well being of our families.  Aside from Zika, which has been in the news lately, and is proving to be a potentially devastating problem, there are a host of other, lesser publicized, but no less dangerous pathogens to be wary of.  In the Continental United Sates, there are West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Chikungunya, and now Zika.

West Nile is an arthropod borne illness transmitted to humans by mosquitos which have been infected by feeding on an infected bird.  Symptoms range from mild to extreme, with the most devastating effects being encephalitis, swelling of the brain, and meningitis, swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.  Present in Europe and Northern Africa for decades, West Nile is now found in all the lower 48 States.  While most people infected are asymptomatic, Febrile illness which can  include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis happens in about 1 in 5 cases.  The severe and life threatening symptoms like meningitis occur in about 1% of cases.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) is arguably the most severe mosquito borne pathogen, resulting in a 33% mortality from encephalitis, and significant brain damage in survivors.  This virus is most prevalent along the Atlantic Gulf Coast of the United States, but it is also present in other states East of the Mississippi.  Like other mosquito borne pathogens, EEEV has no cure or vaccination, although, thankfully, only a handful of cases are reported annually.

Chikungunya Virus has been known in Africa for over 60 years, but has recently made its way into the Caribbean where unsuspecting American tourists are at risk of bringing it home.  Most people who contract the virus will display its symptoms which include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.  While not known to be fatal, many symptoms can be debilitating.  Those most at risk from infection are the young, old, and immuno-compromised.  Because of its presence throughout the Caribbean, Chikungunya stands to make its way into the mainland of the USA in time and become a more ubiquitous problem over time.


Most recently, Zika Virus has proven to be the newest threat from mosquitos.  While most of those infected display only mild symptoms, it is the effects to pregnant women and their offspring which make this one of the most alarming threats present today.  Zika has been linked to profound and debilitating birth defects such as microcephaly, and more recently even in problems later in childhood.  There is no cure or vaccine currently.  And although domestic cases of Zika have been linked to travel abroad, the potential for the virus to make its way into the native mosquito population is indeed frightening.
            

                                                              What You Can Do

Since there are no vaccinations available to prevent these illnesses, the only true way to avoid infection is prevention.  Repellant is an option, but also comes with its own potential problems.  Consider creating an area where you and your family can enjoy the outdoors during mosquito season safely and comfortably by hiring All Custom Aluminum to design and construct a screened enclosure on your deck, patio, or concrete slab.  If you don't have a foundation, All Custom can construct one for you.  Screened enclosures are affordable, aesthetically pleasing additions to your home that serve as more than just refuges from bugs. They provide space to cook, socialize, and entertain, and give you peace of mind that your family is protected from the illnesses outlined above. 

Visit our website at allcustomaluminum.com or call us today for your free estimate (850) 524-0162