Traps collected in Canyon and Gem Counties this week tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the counties’ mosquito abatement districts.
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Health experts in the state have urged the public to report any dead squirrels or birds they find, which may have possibly been infected with the virus.
A Panhandle mosquito pool has recently tested positive for West Nile Virus.
There is no elevated risk level or risk level change associated with this finding, authorities said.
As dead birds may also indicate the presence of West Nile in the area, residents can report dead birds to the county’s Public Health Information Line at 631-787-2200 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. People with more severe infections may experience high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions and paralysis.
The virus is usually transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Perkins offered a number of suggestions to prevent mosquitoes from spreading illness, including the elimination of standing water to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs, wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers to limit skin exposure, and wearing insect repellent containing between 20 and 30 percent DEET, which blocks olfactory receptors in mosquitoes.
Meanwhile, two dead American crows discovered in San Mateo County also tested positive for West Nile virus on July 6.
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label.
Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing.
“It is important that everyone protect themselves from mosquito bites”.
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-Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep mosquitoes out.
