Health Department confirms third human West Nile case

Franklin County Public Health communications director Mitzi Kline said 2015 is the worst mosquito year the county has experienced in recent memory. “We have been spraying more this summer, and we started earlier than usual”.

You may have already noticed it – the number of mosquitoes in Saskatoon is on the rise.

As for the Culex tarsalis – mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus – the Saskatoon Well being Area says the present danger is average, though no swimming pools have examined constructive within the area.

West Nile virus is more of a threat to anyone with health issues, such as a compromised immune system, but occasionally, even healthy people become infected, he said. The fatality was that of a senior citizen in Nevada County, according to the California Department of Public Health. No human cases of West Nile have been reported.

Alana Furman, who lives on Goshen Lane in Gahanna, said her neighborhood is so thick with mosquitoes at night that it’s very bad to go outside. Residents also should check any entry points to their homes. “Residents are encouraged to protect themselves whenever they are outdoors”.

Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected. The district has been spraying to control the mosquito population during the morning hours, as weather permits. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors.

“Franklin County Public Health uses ultra-low-volume spray machines that are computer-controlled, GIS-equipped and calibrated to apply extremely small amounts of spray over large areas”, Kline said.

Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week; and use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET and follow the directions on the label. A confirmed case of the virus in dead birds or mosquito samples helps to identify areas that need treatment to reduce mosquito activity.