A new report out of Florida is adding a new disease to the list of mosquito-borne illnesses. The Keystone Virus has been around since the 60’s but only in lesser mammals, not humans.
In 2016, a teenager in Florida was diagnosed with the Keystone Virus after complaining of fever and a large bumpy rash. It took doctors sometime to pinpoint the problem, but it seems a mosquito carrying the Keystone Virus is to blame.
Keystone Virus
In addition to the rash and fever the virus causes lethargy. For this case, the rash did disappear in 2 days and overall symptoms diminished afterwards. There is no current treatment for Keystone.
The Keystone Virus is a type of orthobunyavirus and was first discovered in Aedes Atlanticus mosquitoes. It normally infects squirrels, raccoons, and white tailed deer. The case of the teenager in Florida represents the first confirmed case in a human, but many more may have been infected and didn’t realize it at the time.
A Growing List
The Keystone Virus is part of an ever-growing list of the number of diseases carried by mosquitoes. Here are a few of the major diseases associated with mosquitoes:
- Yellow Fever
- Encephalitis
- Malaria
- Dengue Fever
- Zika Virus
- West Nile Virus
Some of these more serious illnesses like, Zika and West Nile, have no vaccine and no current cure.
Personal Protection
There are a few ways you can fight off mosquitoes:
- Use Repellent: The most effective is DEET. A product containing 10% DEET can protect for up to 90 minutes before you need to reapply. Spray your clothes as well as skin.
- Cover Up: Cover as much of your skin as possible, especially if you are going on a hike or to an untreated area. Light colored clothing is also a good idea. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors.
- Clear Standing Water: Mosquitoes need water to breed so, get rid of the standing water around your house. This includes puddles, stagnant ponds, old planters, and anything that can hold old water.
- Treat Your Yard: It’s a great idea to have your yard treated by a professional, especially during the spring and summer months when your family and pets will be outdoors. There are many people and pet safe options that will minimize the number of mosquitoes in your yard.
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