Fri 22 Aug 2008
West Nile Virus in West Richland
Posted by Matt McGee under West Richland News
[2] Comments
I had a bite a few nights ago that was unlike any other bite I’ve ever felt before. It was on my left foot, it happened that night we had the heavy rains, and seriously — my first thought was that it was some crazy mosquito with West Nile Virus. (Obviously the feel of the bite has nothing to do with WNV, but I’m just saying this has been on my mind….)
Now, as it turns out, the virus has been found here in West Richland. The Benton-Franklin Health District even published a news release (PDF format) about it. The district gives these tips for minimizing your risk of getting WNV:
- Plan outdoor activities away from dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in mosquito-infested areas.
- Use an effective mosquito repellent and follow label instructions. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 are recommended.
- Make sure the screens on all doors and windows work properly.
- Eliminate mosquito breeding by emptying anything that holds standing water such as old tires, buckets, plastic tarps, clogged gutters, and irrigation leaks. Change the water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, and animal troughs once a week.
If you want to learn more, visit the special West Nile Virus page on the BFHD web site.
(photo courtesy danteclaus via Creative Commons)
