West Nile Virus Update Prince William County and Surrounding Areas
West Nile Virus Update
Prince William Health District Reports Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus - Residents Reminded to Eliminate Standing Water and Protect Themselves Against Mosquito Bites.
(Prince William County) - Mosquitoes collected during August and September 2008 by the Prince William Mosquito Control Program have tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV). Positive mosquitoes have been collected from test areas in northern Woodbridge, Quantico, Valley View Drive, Nokesville, Manassas, Haymarket, and Waterfall.
Mosquito testing is used to determine periods of greater risk of contracting West Nile Virus. The wide occurrence of positive mosquitoes indicates there is an increased risk of contracting the virus across Prince William County. The Prince William Mosquito Control Program will continue to perform intensive treatment in the vicinity of the positive mosquito pools so as to kill adult mosquitoes and breeding larvae in residential areas.
West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease that is endemic in this region. Residents play a big role in disease prevention by paying special attention to eliminating mosquito breeding areas around homes and to protecting themselves from mosquito bites while outside from now until the first hard frost.
No human cases of West Nile Virus disease have been reported in Prince William in 2008. There has been one case in Fairfax County in 2008.
Prince William Health District recommends the following tips to eliminate mosquito-breeding areas in your neighborhood and to reduce exposure to adult mosquitoes:
Eliminate Mosquito Breeding on Your Property:
- Empty birdbaths and other water-holding containers, such as flowerpot trays, at least once a week.
- Properly dispose of used tires so they don't collect water.
- Clean roof gutters and downspouts screens regularly. Screen and check corrugated black drainpipes for any water collection. Mosquitoes breed and feed in standing water. They only need only a few ounces and 7 days to breed from egg to adult.
- Turn over wading pools, wheelbarrows, canoes, pails, trash can lids,
children's toys, and any other objects that can hold water, including items stored under decks and porches.
- Repair dripping outdoor water faucets.
- Drain water from tarps and grill covers.
Avoid Mosquito Bites:
- Avoid outdoors activities at dawn and dusk in mosquito-infested areas like marshes and wetlands.
- Use insect repellants, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), Picardin (KBR 3023), or Oil of Lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane 3,8-diol-PMD), as per label directions. Always follow label instructions when using insect repellents, especially with children.
- Wear loose, long and light-colored clothing when outdoors.
- Check window and door screens for holes and repair, if necessary, with a fine-mesh screen.
For more information WNV, please visit the following websites:
Virginia Department of Health: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/whc/external_whc/westnilevirus.asp
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
For additional questions regarding mosquito control in your neighborhood, please contact the Prince William Gypsy Moth & Mosquito Branch at 703-792-6279
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