Mosquitoes linked to West Nile trapped in Sedgwick County

West Nile virus is commonly spread to people through mosquito bites and is not transmitted from person to person.

There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection.

After confirming that adult mosquitoes collected in parts of San Jose and Campbell have recently tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Santa Clara County Vector Control District on Friday announced mosquito fogging treatments will occur in those areas next week to prevent the virus from spreading to residents. In 2012, there were 57 cases of West Nile Virus in the state, the most cases since the virus first made its way into Kansas in 2002.

To help control the mosquito population – most importantly, the species responsible for carrying the West Nile virus – the city has contracted with Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management. Two mosquito-related cases of West Nile Virus in people were reported in DE a year ago.

The discovery has city leaders in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks urging residents to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which carry the virus. They also recommend emptying vessels such as flower pots or buckets because mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. However, most that contract the illness show no symptoms. Health Department officials are monitoring their activity by setting traps in the area.

The majority of people infected with West Nile virus do not get sick. Approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. So are people with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease.

West Nile virus emerged in the United States in the NY metropolitan area in the fall of 1999.

But when you are indoors, you have to make sure that window screens and doors fit perfectly and that every hole is repaired.

In addition to spraying, Lawrence said larvicide “dunks” are placed in retention basins and other areas of standing water.

There are 50 different mosquito species in CT, and “most of them tend to do well when we have a lot of rain”, Armstrong said.