SALEM – The Washinton County Health Department reports that mosquitoes are testing positive for West Nile Virus within the county.
A positive result came from one of the testing pools within the city.
Testing pools are set up by a state official yearly to monitor the mosquito population for disease.
Officials recommend:
- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active (especially late afternoon, dusk to dawn, and early morning);
- Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol to clothes and exposed skin;
- Cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves, and long pants in places where mosquitoes are especially active, such as wooded areas;
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home. Even a container as small as a bottle cap can become a mosquito breeding ground, so residents should take the following steps to eliminate potential breeding sites:
- Discard old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots, or other containers that can hold water;
- Repair failed septic systems;
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors;
- Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed;
- Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
- Frequently replace the water in pet bowls;
- Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically; aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish.
If you know you have been bitten and experienced any type of adverse reaction, it is recommended that you contact your physician as soon as possible.
