Tuesday, April 14, 2015

West Nile Virus and Mosquito Awareness Week is a Good Time to Check Your Property for Potential Breeding Sites

California’s State Assembly recently declared April 19-25, 2015 as “West Nile Virus and Mosquito & Vector Control Awareness Week” to help increase the fight against mosquitoes, which can transmit viruses to humans, including West Nile, Chikungunya and Dengue fever.

Altadenans are urged to do everything they can to help prevent those pesky mosquitoes from breeding by:

• eliminating all standing water sources left outside;

•keeping swimming pools clean,

•regularly checking for mosquito larvae in still water sources such as bird baths and ponds.

“Current drought and warm weather conditions may contribute to more stagnant water sources and higher numbers of mosquitoes, which increases the risk of West Nile Virus infection,” a local area health officer said. “Take precautions now to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and to avoid being bitten.”

In 2015, there have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Altadena. However, drought conditions can increase virus activity because standing water stagnates easier and a reduced number of small pockets of water create an even more attractive environment for mosquitoes to lay eggs.

For vector control information and to report a green pool or still water source, call the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) Environmental Health Division at (626) 744-6004. Online information is at http://westnile.ca.gov/. For those who finds a dead bird on their property, please report it to the California West Nile Virus website at http://westnile.ca.gov/report_wnv.php.

Officials also recommend protecting yourself by taking precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Preventive measures include wearing repellants containing DEET, avoiding areas likely to be inhabited by mosquitoes at dawn and dusk, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors and checking your window screen for holes.