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Mosquitoes, West Nile Virus, and You

Have you seen any mosquitoes lately? If you have, that's not a good sign because rain here has been rare or non-existent.

Mosquitoes need two things to breed: mild temperatures (which we have) and just a little bit of standing water (which you may have).

Pima County, the City of Tucson, and other regional governments and organizations make up a regional task force and have begun preparation efforts to abate mosquitoes, and to prevent mosquito breeding and the spread of West Nile virus. Over the next several months, staff from this partnership will be monitoring and clearing public properties, speaking to professional and community groups, and partnering with local media – all to remind residents that the virus threat is here to stay.

However, the above organizations alone cannot stop mosquitoes from breeding and biting. Residents must also take steps to ensure personal protection.

If there is mosquito activity in your neighborhood, then a habitat is nearby. Check your property for any standing water: flowerpots, wheelbarrows, scattered bowls or dishes, old tires, swamp coolers not in service, etc. Share this information with your neighbors when visiting or at your association meetings. Remember to check your neighborhood's vacant properties, because cluttered yards and vacant pools are ideal sources for standing water.

Remember personal protection too! Use insect repellents with DEET, Picaridan, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Wear long pants and long sleeves. Repair window and door screens. Keep doors and windows closed.

Tucson and Pima County residents have resources to "Fight The Bite." Call the West Nile Virus Hot Line at 243-7999 for mosquito control tips, mosquito complaints, or to report standing water. Call 792-CITY (2489) to report weeds or vegetation exceeding 6" in height on properties within city limits. Go online to the following web pages for more tips and information:

Pima County Health Department @ www.pimahealth.org/disease/westnile.html

State of Arizona Department of Health Services @ http://azdhs.gov/phs/oids/westnile

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

The following media releases below are on the subjects of mosquito and West Nile virus prevention. These will be updated as the year progresses.

The West Nile Virus Task Force members include staff from Pima County; the Cities of Tucson and South Tucson; the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe; the towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita; The University Of Arizona; the State of Arizona; Davis-Monthan Air Force Base; and the National Weather Service.

City, County Ask Property Owners To Correct Any Green Or Unattended Swimming Pools (April 17)

Green, unattended swimming pools provide locations for mosquito populations to thrive, increasing the chances that the West Nile virus can be transmitted to humans.

Pima County and City of Tucson governments are asking that swimming pools be given extra attention this time of the year.

“We are especially concerned with pools on vacant properties,” said Andrea Ibanez, Deputy Director, City Department of Neighborhood Resources. “More homes are for sale because of market conditions. Rental vacancy rates have risen. Conditions are right for unattended pools to become a health problem in our community.”

County or City staffs are asking property owners and agents to ensure that their swimming pools get proper and regular maintenance, especially if the pool is receiving little or no usage.

“This is the time of year when rainfall is scarce, so mosquitoes are going to seek out a source of standing, undisturbed water,” said Patti Woodcock, Community Relations Manager, Pima County Health Department. “However, property owners and agents can render a swimming pool inhospitable to mosquitoes by regularly operating pumps and filters and by keeping pool chemicals up to date.”

City and County residents should call the West Nile Virus hot line at 243-7999 to report green and unattended swimming pools. Staff will relay their information to the agency or department with jurisdiction in the pool's location.

State Testing Mosquitoes For West Nile Virus; City And County Begin Local Preparation Efforts (April 3)

Though most residents are not likely thinking about how to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and biting, government officials throughout Pima County and the state have already begun discussing the 2008 "Fight The Bite" education campaign.

Beginning April 1, 2008, and continuing through October, samples of mosquitoes will be collected by health officials and tested at the Arizona State Health Laboratory.

In Pima County, "Fight The Bite" efforts will continue through a collaboration of organizations that include Pima County, City of Tucson, City of South Tucson, Town of Marana, Town of Oro Valley, Town of Sahuarita, Tohono O'odham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, University of Arizona, and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

“Mosquitoes do not totally go away when it's winter here,” said Lisa Hulette, Program Manager for the Health Department’s Epidemiology Program. “Spikes of warmer weather and moisture are just enough to allow some to develop. It's important that we start early with our preparedness and education efforts."

Pima County had 14 human cases of West Nile virus in 2007 and 2 deaths. That compares to 46 human cases of West Nile virus and 3 deaths in 2006.

Web pages now available for residents to get information include.

Pima County Health Department: www.pimahealth.org/disease/westnile.html

State of Arizona Department of Health Services: http://azdhs.gov/phs/oids/westnile

Residents can call the West Nile Virus Hot Line at 243-7999 for mosquito complaints, mosquito control tips, or to report standing water.

Maricopa County Confirms First Human Case of West Nile Virus in the U.S. for 2008 (March 26)

Phoenix (March 26, 2008) – The 2008 West Nile Virus season is off to a very early start here in Arizona. Today, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed that a Southeast Valley man in his 60’s is Maricopa County’s first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) this season. The man has been released from a local Valley hospital and is currently recovering from the virus.

“We recognize that people’s first question will be ‘Why Maricopa County?’ The quick answer is that West Nile Virus is now endemic in environments across the nation including Arizona. Because we have a warmer winter and earlier mosquito season than most, it makes sense that we see cases earlier,” said Dr. Bob England, director of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

“Our first confirmed case so early in the season could mean a busier season than in past years,” said John Power, director of Maricopa County Department of Environmental Services. “This case also serves as a reminder that it’s that time again to take a look around your homes and make sure there is no standing water where mosquitoes can breed.”

“It’s crucial that people help us prevent the spread of the virus by reporting to our department any mosquito problems, green pools, or standing water, and by working with their neighbors to get rid of mosquito breeding areas on their property,” added Power.

WNV is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Approximately 20 percent of people infected with the virus will feel flu-like symptoms occurring three to 15 days after the mosquito bite.

Symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands, and skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. A small percentage of people who are infected with WNV will experience severe symptoms, such as meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis, and even death. People over the age of 50 are generally at a higher risk for severe symptoms. If a person thinks he or she has WNV symptoms, he or she should consult their health care provider. 

Health officials say Valley residents should be aware that although the majority of people who become infected with the virus will show no symptoms at all, for a small percentage of people it can be serious or even fatal.

Residents are encouraged to mosquito-proof their home by taking the following precautions:

Eliminate mosquito-breeding sites around your property. Drain standing water in potted plants, tires and other containers.

Install or repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of the home.

Keep fountains, animal troughs and swimming pools properly operating and free from debris.

Eliminating stagnant water around your property will stop mosquitoes from breeding. However, it is very important to avoid all mosquito bites. Apply insect repellent as directed by the product’s directions, wear long clothing, and avoid outdoor activity after dusk and before dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

This is the first laboratory confirmation of human cases of West Nile virus infection in Maricopa County this year. In 2007, Maricopa County reported 68 confirmed West Nile virus cases, and 4 deaths.

Maricopa County and the Arizona Department of Health Services continue to have an enhanced surveillance program, which includes sampling and testing of mosquitoes and dead birds, and evaluation of equine neurological illnesses and human cases of meningitis and encephalitis.

For more information on West Nile virus, public health assistance, as well as for WNV dead bird drop-off locations, to report green pools or file any mosquito related complaint, and for WNV materials or presentations for your group/organization, call (602) 506-0700 or visit www.WestNileAZ.org or www.maricopa.gov/wnv.