County health official offers West Nile info, prevention measures
The Yuma County Public Health Services District says the community plays a critical role in keeping mosquitoes and the West Nile virus at bay.
“West Nile virus is the most commonly occurring mosquito-borne disease in the state of Arizona and Yuma County,” Environmental Health Manager with the Yuma County Public Health Services District Monty Stansbury told the Yuma Sun in an email. “It is found in mosquito samples almost every year. This year West Nile was first found in a mosquito sample from early August.”
“Mosquito activity in Yuma County tends to ramp up with the onset of our Monsoon season,” he stated. “After summer rains it is important for people to inspect their property and tip or toss any containers with standing water in them such as cans, bottles, jars, buckets, old tires, drums and other containers to prevent mosquito breeding.”
According to Stansbury, only certain species of mosquitoes carry the virus.
“Culex mosquitoes are the main carriers of West Nile virus, and these mosquitoes are common
throughout Arizona,” he said. “Culex mosquitoes tend to bite from dusk to dawn. Culex Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile virus when they feed on birds that are infected with West Nile virus. After a few days, infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus to other birds, humans and horses.”
The Culex mosquitoes that have tested positive for the West Nile virus, he wrote, have been found mainly in the riparian areas of the Colorado and Gila rivers.
He said that these areas have been treated and will be monitored for future arboviral (a term used to describe viruses transmitted by anthropod vectors) activity.
“Yuma County Vector Control Specialists are actively monitoring and treating known mosquito breeding sites and performing routine surveillance of mosquitoes for arboviral diseases,” he added. “Our active management practices are assisted through community response by reducing or eliminating breeding sites in or around their individual homes.”
Presently, Stansbury said there is no reported transmission of the West Nile Virus in Yuma County. He noted that the “Vector Control Services active management and the public’s involvement by reporting mosquito nuisances and potential breeding grounds,” is vital in prevention of transmission and the control of mosquito populations.
“Personal protection is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes,” he said.
His listed measures for protection include:
• Wearing insect repellent when outdoors and at all times of day. Be sure to apply it according to the package instructions, and always apply after sunscreen.
• If you choose to open the windows and doors ensure that they have intact screens installed.
• Wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors at all times a day, when possible.
• Keep your yard clean and clear from debris, this reduces the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Make sure to dump or cover all water holding containers regularly. Mosquitoes can lay their eggs in almost any standing water.
• If you have any standing water that can’t be dumped, such as pools, ponds, etc., be sure to treat those with the appropriate chemicals. This will stop mosquitoes from laying eggs on your property.
For more information, visit www.yumacountyaz.gov/government/healthdistrict/divisions/environmental-health-services/www.yumacountyaz.gov/government/healthdistrict/divisions/environmental-health-services/gov/government/healthdistrict/divisions/environmental-health-services/west-nile-virus-questionsand-answers or call (928) 317-4584.