As if we didn’t already have enough illness and disease to worry about, a debilitating new mosquito-borne illness is slowly spreading into America. With its debilitating symptoms, Chikungunya is a relatively new virus with the first documented case in America occurring in early 2014.
Drained by Chikungunya
Like malaria, Chikungunya is spread to humans when bitten by an infected mosquito. Chikungunya is characterized by:
- Fever
- Rash on the limbs and body
- Painful and arthritic joints
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling of legs
While most people recover within a week, and Chikungunya is not fatal, the symptoms are extremely draining and just plain terrible!
Chikungunya: The International Traveler
Chikungunya, which means “that which bends up” (because of the painful joints), was first discovered in Tanzania in the 1950s. Since then, Chikungunya has been spread mostly by international travelers. In 2013, Chikungunya made its way to the Caribbean island of St. Martin. Since then, cases of Chikungunya have occurred in Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. While it’s believed that these cases occurred while these people traveled overseas, it can’t be said for certain that Chikungunya-infected mosquitos hadn’t found their way into North America.
The Fight Against Chikungunya
At DC Mosquito Squad, we keep an ever-vigilant eye on all things mosquitos. Chikungunya is especially alarming to us because we have made it our lifelong goal to prevent the spread the mosquito-borne illness so you and your family can have a safe and enjoyable summer. While DEET mist and citronella candles are great temporary solutions, their ability to fully prevent mosquito bites is low compared to professional treatment.
If you want a proven method to rid your yard of mosquitos by up to 95 percent, DC Mosquito Squad is equipped with the tools and experience to get the job done. Our trained technicians will mist a mosquito-killing barrier every 21 days.