Mosquitoes With West Nile Virus Found In Fresno County - KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News Source

Mosquitoes With West Nile Virus Found In Fresno Co.

West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Fresno County for the first time this year, the Department of Public Health announced Friday afternoon.

So far this year, the virus has been detected in birds and mosquitoes in nine California counties. No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported.

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes or contracting West Nile Virus, the Department of Public Health urges people to take the following precautions:

-Apply insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 according to label instructions.

-Use repellent, especially in the early morning and in the evening, when mosquitoes that carry WNV are most active.

-Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.

-Eliminate standing water and containers that can hold water from around the home.

-Contact mosquito abatement districts to report poorly maintained swimming pools or water features that appear green. Neglected pools are the # 1 source of mosquito breeding in residential areas. Over 3,000 neglected swimming pools have been reported in Fresno County.

-Get FREE mosquito fish for backyard ponds or horse troughs from mosquito abatement districts. Call 559-268-6565 for information.

-Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels.

Contacts:

-- Fresno Co. Department of Public Health: www.fcdph.org

-- Mosquito Abatement District: 1-800-821-1577, www.fresnomosquito.org

-- Report a dead bird: 1-800-WNV-BIRD, www.westnile.ca.gov