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SYRACUSE – West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in the Daviess County, Syracuse mosquito pool.
The Daviess County Utah Mosquito Abatement District announced Monday that a pool of western encephalitis mosquitoes tested positive for the virus on July 11.
The district advised Utahns in the area to follow label directions, use insect repellent, empty any containers holding water in their yards, avoid prolonged outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, and wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has yet to report any cases of West Nile virus in humans this year.
The Mosquito Abatement District in Daviess County is the public agency responsible for mosquito control and provides information and resources on disease transmission. He sets monitoring traps every week to monitor conditions and identify which species are in the area.
The website said officials are testing two species of mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus, which is primarily transmitted between birds and mosquitoes but can also be transmitted to humans and horses. Daviess County has large areas that are good areas for mosquito and bird interaction, increasing the risk of exposure to West Nile virus.
The organization uses an intensive integrated mosquito control system to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to the public.
“We are blessed to have in-home testing for (West Nile virus). In-home testing allows us to report positive mosquitoes quickly and directly, usually within 24 hours of a mosquito bite. Because results are available so quickly, we can more effectively respond to the increased risk,” the district’s website says. .
Officials report any positive tests to the Utah Department of Health, which reports the tests to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Last year, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services reported five confirmed human infections and seven confirmed horse infections, and the disease was found in humans, animals or mosquitoes in eight different counties.
Symptoms of severe West Nile virus include high fever, severe headache and neck pain, confusion and disorientation. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, people with symptoms are encouraged to contact a health care provider immediately. Most people infected with the virus are asymptomatic, but about 1 in 150 people with the virus develop severe central nervous system disease with a 10% chance of death.
Tips to reduce mosquito exposure
- When outdoors, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks, and use a 20%-30% DEET insect repellent, which is safe to use during pregnancy. Sedatives are not recommended for children under 2 months.
- The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities for the evening or early morning.
- Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Avoid any water or standing water, including pets, flower pots, wading and swimming pools, buckets, tarps and tires.
- Report standing water bodies to your local mosquito abatement district. Visit http://www.umaa.org/ for a list of districts.
- Make sure doors, windows and screens are in good position and fit tightly.
- Before traveling to areas with mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika or Dengue, consult with a vaccination travel clinic and take the necessary precautions.
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