The first rule of safe gardening is
Be Aware & Educated About the Dangers Around You.
Is there a gardener in the world who hasn’t been eaten alive by mosquitoes and other annoying bugs out there in the planting bed? While it’s easy to accept mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks as a fact of outdoor life, the increased danger of serious diseases means every gardener should take these pests seriously.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) focuses on existing and new diseases carried by these bugs. A partial list of mosquito-borne illnesses is available at the website, and includes diseases that have killed millions over the centuries (malaria, dengue, etc.) as well as newer threats. According to the CDC:
On average, 2 new mosquito-transmitted viruses infective to humans are found each year.
The West Nile virus has been in the U.S. for almost a decade, and has caused over 12,700 cases of severe disease. Newer viruses have been confirmed, including the Heartland virus, which was first reported in 2012. However, only eight cases of infection have been confirmed since 2012. The Chikungunya virus, which has existed in Africa for years, has spread significantly to the Caribbean, and the CDC announced recently that travelers from abroad have brought the virus to the U.S. The disease is painful, but rarely fatal, and 28 cases have been documented in the U.S.
I think it is always important to stress: go to reputable sources for information, not sensationalist websites or news outlets. The CDC website has maps showing locations where viruses have been identified and are being monitored. The website also describes symptoms and possible long term effects. Don’t be drawn in by alarmist headlines!
Happy and Safe Gardening to You!
CDC Website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/
Fool for Flowers 