08/25/2026
HEALTH ALERT:
A sample collected as part of our General Environmental Mosquito Surveillance Program has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus will have either no symptoms or mild symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, or rash, appearing 3-15 days after the mosquito bite. However, about 1 in 150 individuals who are infected will have a more severe form of the disease, with symptoms such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord).
Individuals who develop any of the following symptoms should see a doctor immediately:
• High fever
• Severe headache
• Neck stiffness
• Muscle weakness or paralysis
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sore joints
• Confusion
Prevent mosquito breeding around their homes and workplaces:
🛞 Discard old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold stagnant water.
🚽 Repair failed septic systems.
🪛 Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
🍂 Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains.
🌾 Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed.
⛲ Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically.
🦈 Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with predatory fish.
💧 Frequently replace the water in outdoor pet bowls.
🪟 Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites when outdoors:
🌅 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.
