MOHAVE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 318 N

Mohave County
Department of PUBLIC HEALTH
700 W. Beale Street, Kingman AZ

Increased Mosquito Activity Along River City Communities

October 10, 2003 (Mohave County, Kingman) – Mohave County Department of Public Health has seen an increase in the numbers of mosquitoes in the river city communities. Sandy Hillary, Environmental Health Manager, reports that the cooler outside temperatures makes the area more desirable for mosquito populations at this time of year. Sanitarians are involved in routine collection of trapped mosquitoes that are sent to the State Lab for West Nile Virus testing. During the sampling and trapping, they have reported increased numbers of mosquitoes.

Patty Mead, Health Director, said that “Although the risk of West Nile Virus from a mosquito bite is low, we’ve seen an increase in the number of mosquitoes and want to remind everyone to take the precautions we’ve been talking about.” Mead also stated that “We have not found West Nile Virus in mosquitoes or birds in Mohave County yet, but it’s important to protect from mosquito bites as they can cause other diseases as well.”

The best ways to protect from mosquito bites are:

	Wear long sleeve shirts and pants
	Consider staying indoors during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active
	Use insect repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Always follow directions on the package.
	Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
	Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill drainage holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.

For more information on West Nile virus, log on to www.HealthELinks.com and click on the link for West Nile Virus Facts.

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