Vector Borne and Zoonotic Disease
West Nile Virus: Mosquito Prevention and Control
The West Nile virus poses a serious threat to public health in Arizona. People of all ages can become ill from West Nile virus infection. While the chances of becoming seriously ill are small, everyone should still do their part to "Fight-the-Bite." Persons over the age of 50 are at higher risk for developing serious illness. If a person develops symptoms, this would occur three to 15 days after the mosquito bite. Mild cases of West Nile infection may include a fever, headache and swollen glands. More severe infections, including encephalitis, are marked by high fever, headache, confusion, muscle aches, and weakness. Very severe infections can be fatal. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus other than supportive care, and there is no vaccine available for humans at this time.THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT WEST NILE ENCEPHALITIS IS TO AVOID MOSQUITO BITES!
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Wear shoes and
socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors after dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Consider using a mosquito repellent, according to directions on the label, when it is necessary to be outdoors when mosquitoes are most active.
Many mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs. To reduce the mosquito population in and around your home, reduce or eliminate all standing water:
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Dispose of or turn
upside down tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar
water-holding containers.
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Remove all
discarded tires from your property. Used tires have become one of
the most common mosquito breeding sites in the country.
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Drill holes in the
bottoms of all recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
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Make sure roof
gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and
fall.
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Turn over plastic
wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
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Change the water
in bird baths, pet dishes and flower pots at least twice per week.
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Clean vegetation
and debris from the edge of ponds.
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Clean and
chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
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Drain water from
pool covers.
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Use landscaping to
eliminate standing water that collects on your property.
- Report mosquito breeding problems (e.g. green pools) to your local environmental health office.
Arizona has expanded its surveillance network to monitor
mosquito-borne virus activity in
mosquitoes, sentinel chicken flocks and dead birds.
"Prevent
West Nile Virus" backyard poster
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