Mosquitoes carrying WNV trapped in Winslow area

Mosquito season will last through October, or until there is a consecutive number of lower nighttime temperatures.

A Navajo County Public Health District representative said mosquitoes recently collected in the Winslow area tested positive for West Nile Virus. It is difficult to pinpoint where the mosquitoes are from as the insects can travel up to 20 miles in search of a blood meal.

While mosquitoes in Navajo County have tested positive for West Nile Virus, health officials say there have been no human or equine cases of the virus this year. One horse was already infected with West Nile Virus before it was moved into the county.

Health officials are encouraging residents to continue to remove standing water from their yards, change the water in pet bowls at least once every three days and to keep spraying for mosquitoes, at least until the temperature cools enough to kill adult mosquitoes.

Health officials said one bird in the Holbrook area tested positive for West Nile Virus. However, the number of positive tests in Navajo County are lower than in 2004.

The county health district is still trapping mosquitoes throughout the area and will continue to trap well into October. Officials said the mosquito traps are not as full this year and hope the reason is that residents are more aware of the problem and taking preventative measures.

The mosquito season is not yet over, and officials said older citizens and infants should still be protected.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read