The city of Coppell Environmental Health Department received a laboratory report Tuesday confirming the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes in the 400 block of S. MacArthur Road, the 400 block of N. MacArthur, the 600 block of Villawood and the 400 block of Copperstone Trail.
Advertisement
The wetter weather is helping to grow the province’s mosquito population and Alberta Health Services wants you to be careful about West Nile Virus. Three other travel-related case occurred earlier this year.
The newly reported case is in Rankin County. The county uses tree branches to hang traps, which attract the insects using LED lights and fans. But some people, including those who are over the age of 50 and who may have chronic health problems are more at risk from the West Nile virus.
The public is asked to eliminate standing water from their properties, make sure doors and windows have tightfitting screens, limit outdoor activities when mosquitoes are present, wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors, and use insect repellent.
They are also advised to watch out for dead birds, which can be a sign that the virus is present. Severe West Nile virus illness usually requires hospitalization. That’s because while the chickens can get the virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito, the chickens don’t get sick from it.
Mosquitoes like to breed in stagnant water, preferring weedy areas that provide cover.
Advertisement
According to the Mississippi Department of Health, two new cases of the Zika virus have been reported in two Mississippi residents who recently traveled to the Caribbean and Central America. Products that are registered with the EPA that have shown a high degree of effectiveness contain DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535. Fix or replace screens with tears or holes. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flower pots, old vehicle tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. Birds of particular interest are crows, ravens, magpies, jays and raptors (hawk or eagle).
