Zika not cause for concern at the moment

Staff Writer

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Mosquitoes with the ability to pass the Zika virus have been found in the Portales area. But it’s not a reason to be fearful, according to state health and local agricultural officials.

Patrick Kircher, the Roosevelt County agriculture agent, compares the news announced last week to West Nile concerns that go back more than a decade.

“It was going to happen; it is just a function of life,” he said. “It is just a matter of being responsible, watching what you are doing and avoiding contact with mosquitoes.”

Paul Ettestad, the state public health veterinarian, said these mosquitoes have already been found in Chaves, Eddy and Dona Ana counties through a study shared by the New Mexico Department of Health and New Mexico State University.

He said they have been placing traps, widely spread, across the counties and reporting whether they find either Aedes albopictus, the species found in Roosevelt County, or Aedes aegypti — both breeds that can carry the virus — also known as “mild, nuisance disease.”

“I don’t think people should be afraid; I just think they need to be responsible,” said Ettestad, adding that the mosquitoes could only become a serious threat if a person becomes ill with the virus overseas and travels back to Roosevelt County.

“You could potentially get sick if a returned traveler got sick with Zika in the Caribbean or South America; they return, then get bitten by this mosquito,” said Ettestad, adding that the chances of contracting the virus from a mosquito in Roosevelt County today is almost zero.

There have been no reports of the Zika virus in Roosevelt County and only four confirmed reports of the virus in New Mexico.

Still, Ettestad said there remains a possibility the Zika virus could spread throughout many counties in New Mexico, with dangerous consequences, especially for pregnant women. The Zika virus causes extreme birth defects.

He said the mosquito was only found in one of several traps in Roosevelt County but that does not mean it is confined to that one area of the county.

Ettestad said the mosquitoes have been found in Curry County in past years through reports from mosquito control, and he believes they were not previously found in Roosevelt County because no one was looking.

His advice to avoid any problems is to rid the community and homes of standing water — bird baths, flower pots and toys or tires left out when it rains.

“Make sure you empty them out and scrub them, once a week, to avoid mosquitoes laying eggs,” he said.