Georgia is a hotbed for mosquitoes.
The control of mosquitoes is viewed as a fundamental practice in public health. The pests are known to carry diseases such as the West Nile virus, which swept across the United States at the turn of the century. Georgia is part of a movement initiated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop strategies to manage the mosquito population and to isolate them from the public.
Georgia Mosquito Control Association
Founded in 1977, the Georgia Mosquito Control Association consists of researchers, politicians and businesspeople. The group states on their website that they were formed to develop ideas to help "mosquito workers" to improve the quality of their work. GMCA also intends to stay informed about ways to protect the public from mosquitoes and their ravages. Every year, the association hosts a conference to encourage cooperation from the government and to advance mosquito control.
Species
Georgia has 56 identified types of mosquitoes. Among those is the Aedes albopictus. This mosquito originates from Asia and was introduced in Texas in the 1985, according to the Georgia Mosquito Control Association. In 1994, Georgia identified the species in the state and now 26 states have identified the insect. The mosquito is known to carry denge viruses in areas of Asia, but in the United States, the bug has tested positively for five arboviruses, two of which are harmful to humans.
Mosquito ID Classes
Every year, the Georgia Division of Public Health provides the public with two free classes to help people identify mosquitoes. People studying will attend a two-day classroom session, which involves laboratory and field lessons. Attendants will view pictures of the various mosquitoes in Georgia and they will learn about the dangers of each. The mosquito habitat, anatomy, behavior and breeding are studied.
Breeding
Georgia is the home of a vast amount of rivers and lakes, which makes it a prime area for mosquitoes. The high amount of breeding grounds and a warm annual climate increase the population and the various species that can inhabit the state. The diseases spread by this wide variety of species can not only infect humans, but also the food we eat. According to the Georgia Department of Community Health, mosquitoes can transfer diseases into livestock and wild game.
Tags: Control Association, Georgia Mosquito, Georgia Mosquito Control, Mosquito Control Association, Every year, Georgia identified