[Archived] Mosquitoes Carrying West Nile Found

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

MOSQUITOES CARRYING WEST NILE VIRUS FOUND NEAR ALEXANDRIA SCHOOL

Dr. Charles Konigsberg, Jr., Health Director for the City of Alexandria, announced today that mosquitoes collected July 29 from a mosquito trap in Alexandria have tested positive for the West Nile virus. The mosquitoes were Culex salinarius, a species that feeds on birds and mammals including humans. The mosquitoes were caught in a trap located beside the playground near Backlick Run, in Armistead Boothe Park, which is on the west side of Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School.

The Alexandria Health Department has notified school and Head Start authorities about the West Nile virus positive mosquitoes. The Head Start program at Samuel W. Tucker has in turn notified parents about the mosquitoes. School officials will be sending mosquito information home with Samuel Tucker Elementary School students on the first day of school. “Fortunately, school age children are not at as much risk of having a life threatening case of West Nile virus as older persons or persons with serious medical conditions,” said Dr. Konigsberg.

“People need to pay special attention to eliminating mosquito breeding areas around their homes and to protecting themselves from mosquito bites while outside this summer. The wet weather has greatly increased the mosquito population compared to a year ago,” said Joe Fiander, an Environmental Health Specialist with the Alexandria Health Department.

“We are expecting an increase in West Nile virus activity this year,” said Bob Custard, Environmental Health Manager for the Alexandria Health Department. “As more birds in the area become infected with the West Nile virus, the risk of human infection increases,” Custard added.

Twenty-nine human cases of West Nile virus and two deaths were confirmed in Virginia in 2002. Only one human case has been reported by the Virginia state laboratory so far this year. Human cases of West Nile virus most commonly occur in August, September and October.

West Nile virus is spread to birds, humans, horses and other mammals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito do not get sick. People who do get sick usually suffer a mild flu-like illness. People over age 50 are at greatest risk of serious illness, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).

It is important to follow these tips to reduce the potential for contracting the disease and to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes:

To reduce exposure to mosquitoes:

Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing.

If possible, stay indoors when mosquitoes are biting. Check window and door screens to ensure that mosquitoes do not enter your home.

Use insect repellent products with no more than 35 percent DEET for adults and no more than 10 percent for children. Apply repellent to exposed skin and clothing. Do not use repellent under clothing. Spray repellent on your hands and then apply to your face.

Adults should apply repellent on children.

Follow label instructions when using insect repellents. Do not apply repellent over cuts, wounds, sunburns, or irritated skin.

Wash repellent off daily and reapply as needed.

To control mosquito breeding:

Eliminate standing water by turning over or removing containers such as old tires, potted plant trays, boats, buckets and toys.

Empty the water from birdbaths and wading pools once a week.

Clean roof gutters and downspout screens regularly so that they drain properly.

Eliminate standing water on tarps and flat roofs.

Do not leave garbage can lids upside down or allow water to collect in garbage cans.

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