Protecting Against the Zika Virus in Racine County, Wisconsin & Northern Illinois

What's the trendy new disease being touted by the media? It's the Zika virus ... and it's transmitted by mosquitoes.

Uh oh. Summer is looming. Mosquitoes, too.

Should You Be Concerned About The Zika Virus in Racine County?

Well, no. The mosquitoes that will soon be buzzing Racine County, don't harbor the Zika virus. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not a single person has gotten the virus from a mosquito in the contiguous United States.

Foreign countries are different. Zika virus is a danger if you travel to Mexico, the Caribbean and some South American lands. Tropical mosquitoes in these areas carry the virus. More than 350 "travel-related" Zika cases have been reported in the United States, where people returned from a foreign country after being infected.

The glaring threat of Zika virus is its connection to serious birth defects, including brain damage. Pregnant women, or those planning to become pregnant, should be especially wary about foreign travel.

Otherwise, Zika virus disease isn't fatal. It does have some uncomfortable symptoms – fever, rash and joint pain. So, if Zika comes up in conversation this summer, rest easy. Like malaria and dengue fever, it's transmitted by tropical mosquitoes that don't frequent Racine County, southeastern Wisconsin or northern Illinois.

Not Out of the Woods Entirely

Just like mosquitoes love woods, though, we aren't out of the woods regarding mosquito--borne illness. West Nile virus, which appeared in the United States about 15 years ago, is a threat. In the Racine County area, Illinois had 72 cases reported in 2015. Wisconsin had nine.

Racine County local mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus. Its danger to people varies. In the vast majority of cases, an infected person has no symptoms.

About 1 in 5 infected people develops fever and other symptoms: headache, body pain, vomiting and rash. Most recover completely.

Yet, a fraction of those infected encounter serious neurologic illness, and can even die. People over 60 are at greatest risk. With Racine County summer activities nearing – pool parties, family gatherings, the 4th of July and others – it's worth considering how to guard yourself and others from the West Nile virus.

Protecting against mosquitoes, period, minimizes the chance of running into one (or more) harboring West Nile. A mosquito repellent application by The Mosquito Guy keeps mosquitoes away for 30 days. We travel to Racine County and throughout southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

A Small Price for Mosquito Protection and Peace of Mind

Prices start at just $125 per application. It's a small cost to pay for peace of mind regarding West Nile ... and the peace of no mosquitoes buzzing around your ears. Call 262-521-1258, request a mosquito control quote or e-mail margie@themosquitoguy.com, to schedule an application for your Racine County yard.

Zika virus isn't a threat here. Other mosquito-borne ailments are. The Mosquito Guy will make sure that you, and those you love, are guarded from all.