Dear Colleagues:
Due to our climate and existing mosquito populations, Mississippi is at risk for emerging diseases spread by mosquitoes such as Zika. Zika virus normally causes a mild illness but infection during pregnancy has been linked to severe brain damage to babies in the womb. Mississippi residents are currently only at risk if they travel to areas with active Zika transmission, primarily the Caribbean and Latin America. Two Mississippi residents have been diagnosed with Zika following trips to Haiti.
There is a small chance that Mississippi mosquitoes could become infected from a traveler with Zika. The Mississippi State Department of Health is conducting a survey of mosquito control capabilities for cities and counties statewide. This information will help us respond to Zika and other diseases spread by mosquitoes. It will also help us direct any federal funding that might be available in the future to fight mosquitoes.
Please help us with this brief survey, or forward it to an employee of your county that is knowledgeable about your mosquito control activities. We know that most counties do not have mosquito control programs. This information is useful as well. This same survey has been sent to cities throughout the state.
Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Preview/?sm=RVRj5oMZv_2F4E9BQy2dKaX3gyVxIyzG7rXvhR9vBNmg0_3D
Please call the Office of Epidemiology if you have any questions.
For more information on Zika, please visit www.healthyms.com/zika .
Thank you,
Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH
State Epidemiologist
Mississippi State Department of Health
(601) 576-7725