Mohave County issued the following announcement on Sept. 10.
Mosquito surveillance conducted by the Mohave County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Division has revealed there are mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus in Mohave Valley.
Traps recently set at the following locations collected mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile Virus:
- Vanderslice and Courtwright Rd in Mohave Valley
- Willow Dr and Mountain View in Mohave Valley
- Pintail Slough at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Mohave County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Division conducts routine mosquito surveillance throughout Mohave County. Culex species mosquitoes, which have the potential for carrying West Nile Virus, are identified and tested. Mohave County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Division will continue to trap and test mosquitoes throughout the season. West Nile Virus (WNV) is hosted by over 170 species of birds and carried to humans and horses by mosquitoes.
It is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It will not pass directly to humans by infected birds, horses, or other humans. The virus is spread to people solely by the bite of an infected mosquito in the genus Culex. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which in Arizona runs May through October. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people.
Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites during the active season. Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk and keep your yard and living space free of standing water.
Original source can be found here.
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