West Nile Virus Lurks - Remain Vigilant!

Summer is winding down but blood-thirsty mosquitoes are still on the wing, looking for that last delicious blood meal of 2018. And, the risk of acquiring West Nile virus (WNv), or another mosquito-transmitted pathogen, will continue in your area until the first hard frost. Be aware that:
  1. As the weather cools, female mosquitoes live longer and are therefore more likely to transmit pathogens.
  2. Health departments and mosquito abatement districts across the country are still trapping mosquitoes infected with WNv.
  3. Historically, approximately half of the human cases of WNv in the United States occur in September and October.
  4. As of September 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/ has reported West Nile virus activity in people, birds or mosquitoes in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Also, there have been 1,077 laboratory-confirmed cases of human illness and 35 deaths caused by WNv.
The message is clear. If you are going to be outside during peak mosquito activity (primarily dusk and early evening when it is cooler), then take appropriate measures to protect yourself and your family. Click here for an article on the 5 D's of mosquito prevention: https://catchmaster.com/mosquito-prevention-the-5-ds/
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