Some Pointers to Keeping the West Nile Virus Menace Down

With the changing season, one can look forward to the comforting lazy warmth of sunshine and longer days. However, along with these pleasantries comes an additional threat, increasing number of mosquitoes which, in turn, translates to the possibility of an increased outbreak of West Nile Virus cases.

The threat this year has been more, since the warm weather has hit us earlier than usual, from March itself instead of April, which is when the season usually starts. For instance, the first bird death this year attributed to the West Nile Virus happened on March 19. The bird in question was a crow, and tests later confirmed it had the virus.

As Luz Rodriguez, Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District’s public information officer, said, “Seeing the bird in March was sort of a red flag for us.” However, there are ways one can counter this menace. The best way is to ensure a fall in mosquito breeding.

According to Rodriguez, it was still too early to make a fair prediction of whether the number of cases of West Nile Virus outbreaks would be more or less, as this was just the beginning of the breeding season for mosquitoes. However, the district can and would take a number of preventive measures to ensure the threat was minimal, he said.

One of the ways of controlling this menace is to destroy the mosquito eggs. Mosquito egg populations can usually be seen in empty homes, rice fields, and catch basins. The district takes mosquito fish to those water bodies where they find the mosquito eggs and get them to destroy the eggs, thus solving the problem. Rodriguez says they plant the fish two times each season approximately.

In your house, you can ensure mosquitoes do not get a place to lay their eggs by draining all standing water inside – from pet bowls, old automobile tires, bird baths, and also plastic pools. Outside the house, eliminating water from storm water drains and the lawns is a good way to go.

Another way is to wear protective mosquito or insect repellant containing N,N-diethyl-mta-toluamide, also known as DEET on exposed skin whenever you go out in the evenings or early mornings. This is because mosquitoes move around a lot during these time periods. Another option is to wear long clothing so minimal portions of your skin is exposed.

Another way is to keep mosquitoes out of your houses using screens on your doors and windows. These screens should be tight-fitting, so there is no space for the mosquitoes to get in. You should also make it a point to report any dead birds you find in your area to the concerned authorities immediately, i.e. to the nearest state or local health department.