Which mosquitoes carry west nile virus

You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account. Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. Hi ho, hi ho, killing mosquitoes without poison I go! Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn. Like this: Like Loading Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:. Install nets on windows and doors 2. Use mosquito repellents and protection 3. Avoid over-watering the gardens.

Empty water from the bottoms of flower pots, buckets and barrels. Drain standing water. Additional Important Information. If there are nearby standing water sources, notify the municipal hotline for treatment. To get updates, news and events in Beit Shemesh, join our no-chatter WhatsApp group! Cancel Save. Mon, Oct 25 , AM. Image gallery. Video gallery. Part of the reason for this low number, however, may be that infants are less exposed to mosquitoes than other age groups.

Are laboratory workers in contact with West Nile virus-positive specimens at risk for infection? There are two reports of laboratory workers contracting the illness while handling West Nile virus-positive specimens.

Are duck and other wild game hunters at risk for West Nile virus infection? They are at risk because hunting is an outdoor activity. There is no evidence for increased risk from handling or consuming game, as long as normal precautions are taken. No, there are no reports of transmission through handling live or dead infected birds.

However, gloves or similar protection should be worn to handle dead birds or other animals. Can you get West Nile virus from eating game birds or animals that have been infected? There is no evidence for direct crow-to-person West Nile virus transmission. However, you should wear gloves if it is necessary to handle a dead or dying crow. There is some evidence for direct crow-to-crow transmission.

No, there are no reports of West Nile virus transmission through normal contact with infected persons. There are a few reports of transmission through blood transfusions, donated organs, mother to child during pregnancy, and breast feeding. There are several confirmed cases of people contracting West Nile virus from organ donations or blood transfusions. What is being done about the possibility of transfusion-related West Nile virus transmission?

Blood products from persons known to be infected with West Nile are being withdrawn from the blood supply. Doctors have been requested to report any cases of West Nile virus in persons who have received organ donations or blood transfusions within the previous four weeks. These reports are used to locate additional potential sources of contaminated blood or organs. Should people avoid donating blood or getting blood transfusions or organ transplants? Donating blood save lives, and donors have no risk of contracting West Nile virus while giving blood.

The potential West Nile virus health risks from receiving blood transfusions or organ donations are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits. How can blood banks avoid collecting blood from donors who may have West Nile virus?

Blood banks do not accept donors who indicate that they have had any West Nile virus symptoms in the last few weeks. Also, the blood banks test their supplies for the presence of West Nile virus. If I recently had a transfusion or transplant, should I be concerned about getting West Nile virus? Contact your physician if you develop any of the symptoms associated with West Nile virus.

However, the likelihood of contracting the disease in this manner is extremely low; you are much more likely to contract it from a mosquito bite. Is there any evidence that West Nile virus is transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or during birth? There is one documented case of West Nile virus being transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy.

The child was severely ill at birth, but it is not known whether the problems were related to the infection. Pregnant women should follow standard recommendations to avoid mosquito bites if there is local virus activity.

Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt made from tightly-woven, light-colored fabric if you need to be outdoors for an extended period of time, especially in the evening. Also, use an effective mosquito repellent according to the instructions on the label. There is good evidence for one case of West Nile virus transmission through breast feeding. However, the child did not develop symptoms of the disease. Should I continue breast-feeding if I am symptomatic for West Nile virus?

The benefits of breast feeding are well understood. The health risks, if any, of West Nile virus transmission through breast milk are unknown. Based on current information, the benefits of breast-feeding while symptomatic for West Nile virus seem to outweigh the risks.

Should I continue breast-feeding if I am not symptomatic for West Nile virus? The benefits of breast-feeding are well understood. Based on current information, the benefits of breast-feeding if you do not have West Nile virus symptoms seem to outweigh the risks. There are no known adverse health effects from using DEET based mosquito repellents to pregnant or breast feeding women. Should outdoor activities in August and September be cancelled when there is evidence of West Nile virus activity?

However, you should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Follow recommendations to reduce mosquito activity around your home. If West Nile virus is active in your area wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt made from tightly-woven, light-colored fabric if you need to be outdoors for an extended period of time, especially in the evening.

I like camping and other activities in the mountains. Do the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus occur at high altitudes? Culex tarsalis , one of the main West Nile virus vectors, commonly occurs up to altitudes of 8, feet and is found as high as 10, feet above sea level.

Other potential vectors are more common above 8, feet and can be found well above this elevation. On the other hand, the transmission season becomes shorter as elevation increases, which probably reduces risk significantly. Given the lack of knowledge and experience with this disease in Colorado, it is prudent to use an effective repellent when mosquitoes are active, even at these higher elevations. What should wild game hunters do to protect against West Nile virus infection?

Insect repellents should be applied to clothing and skin while hunting during mosquito season and periods of West Nile virus activity. Who should wild game hunters contact for information about the risk for West Nile virus infection in specific geographic areas?

Are children or infants at greater risk for becoming infected with West Nile Virus? No, all age groups are equally likely to become infected, if their exposure to infective mosquitoes is similar. However, infected individuals older than 50 are more likely to develop the severe symptoms of West Nile encephalitis.

It is very unlikely. Only about one person in five bitten by an infectious mosquito develops symptoms. Furthermore, the chance of severe symptoms is lower in children than in older adults. If a mosquito bites my child, should he or she be tested for West Nile Virus? Only a very small percentage of mosquitoes carry the virus, and only one person in five bitten by infectious mosquitoes will develop symptoms.

It your child was bitten when West Nile virus is known to be active and you are concerned about symptoms that are developing, then consult a physician. However, severe disease more likely in older adults may require hospitalization and treatment of symptoms. Is my child at risk for becoming infected with West Nile Virus while attending school? Generally, the risk of infection is quite low. The key transmitters of West Nile virus Culex mosquitoes do not bite during the day.

Also, in Colorado the summer school vacation months of July and August are when most infections are expected to occur. Should children avoid outdoor field trips and playing outdoors because of West Nile virus? No, but precautions against mosquito bites should be taken if West Nile virus is known to be active in the area. Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, especially during the evenings, which is the period when Culex mosquitoes are most active.

Use an effective mosquito repellent according to the directions on the label. What can I do around my home to help protect my children from exposure to mosquitoes? Mosquitoes breed in standing water.

The most effective means of reducing the number of mosquitoes around your home is to reduce or eliminate standing water. If standing water, such as in a fish pond, is permanent then it can be treated with floating Bti briquets or similar larvicides. When virus levels in birds reach a certain level then mosquitoes can transmit the virus to other animals, especially horses.

Symptoms include listlessness, stumbling, in coordination, weakness of the limbs, partial paralysis, and death. Usually there is not a fever. Most evidence indicates that the virus does not build to high enough levels in horses to be acquired by mosquitoes.

In other words, horses become ill from West Nile virus, but they do not become infectious. Can a horse infected with West Nile virus infect horses in neighboring stalls? West Nile virus is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes. There is no evidence for horse-to-horse transmission of West Nile virus.

Can you get infected with West Nile virus by caring for an infected horse? There is no evidence for horse-to-person transmission of West Nile virus. Is there anything I can do to protect my horse against West Nile Virus? The best way to protect your horse is to make sure that it has been properly vaccinated. The first time immunization takes two doses 3 to 6 weeks apart. The second dose should be completed before the peak season for mosquito activity July-August. An annual booster is required every year thereafter.

The vaccine is only available through a licensed veterinarian. Will these vaccines protect my horse against West Nile virus infection? There is a specific vaccine for West Nile virus that is necessary to protect your horse. There is a specific vaccine for West Nile virus.

Sick horses should be in the care of a veterinarian. Treatments address the symptoms displayed by the individual animal. There is no cure. Since sick horse do not become infectious mosquitoes can acquire the virus from the horse and since there is no evidence for horse to horse transmission, there is no reason to destroy infected animals.

What signs of West Nile virus infection should I look for in domestic animals? Except for horses most domestic animals are not expected to have noticeable symptoms of West Nile virus infection. A few infections have been reported from dogs, cats, squirrels and several other wild and domestic animal species.

There is experimental evidence for infections in cats, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and several other species. Can sick dogs or cats be carriers and transmit West Nile Virus to people and other dogs or cats? Can you get West Nile virus directly from birds, game or domestic animals? This virus is transmitted mostly by mosquitoes. There is no evidence for animal-to-person transmission of West Nile virus, although there is some evidence for crow-to-crow transmission.

The best way to protect them is to reduce the amount of mosquito activity in the area. The most effective means of doing this is to reduce or eliminate all standing water.

If standing water, such as in a fish pond or stock tank, is permanent then it can be treated with floating Bti briquets or similar larvicides. The use of insecticides to control adults also may be warranted in certain high risk situations. If possible, animals should be kept indoors at night.

Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned that your pet might have West Nile virus infection. Except for horses, most domestic animals have not shown symptoms of West Nile virus. There is no evidence that mosquitoes can acquire the virus from infected dogs or cats.

Also, the chance for fatal cases in dogs and cats is thought to be extremely low. During the first three years of West Nile virus in the United States most cases of infected birds involved American crows. However, the number of bird species affected by West Nile virus expanded greatly in There are now records of West Nile virus mortality in native bird species and 11 exotic species.

The number of individual birds sickened or killed is unknown, although it is thought that crows and related species have been most affected. The kinds of birds affected by West Nile virus expanded greatly in Many different kinds of birds were reported killed by West Nile virus in We are still learning which kinds of birds are susceptible and what their risks are from West Nile virus. Assume that your pet birds and poultry are at some risk and keep them indoors, if possible, during high risk periods.

If your birds cant be kept indoors then take steps to reduce the amount of local mosquito activity. The most effective means of reducing the number of mosquitoes around your home is to reduce or eliminate all standing water. Where in Colorado have birds infected with West Nile virus been reported? West Nile virus arrived in the state late in Most infected birds were found in river valleys in the eastern part of the state.

It is likely that infected birds will be found over a much wider area in the future. If I see a lot of crows roosting in an area, should I be concerned about West Nile virus? However, if you see several dead crows you should report the location to your local health department.

How can I report a sighting of dead bird s for West Nile virus testing? Contact your local health department for information on reporting and collecting dead birds. A list of Colorado health departments is found at www. Why are crows, but not most other dead birds, tested for West Nile virus? Crows are very susceptible to the virus, which builds to very high concentrations in their blood. A die-off of crows is a strong indicator of local West Nile virus activity.

Other kinds of birds may not be as susceptible and thus not as useful in detecting the presence of the virus. Why have some areas stopped collecting dead birds for West Nile virus testing? Birds are collected to test for the presence of West Nile virus. Once it is certain that the virus is established in an area there is little to be gained from additional testing, which is expensive.

However some public health agencies may monitor reports of dead birds, particularly highly susceptible species such as crows. This information can be useful in tracking seasonal activity of the virus. What information about the dead bird do I need to give my local health department for West Nile virus testing? Early in the season your health department may want information on how to get the bird from you for West Nile virus testing. Later in the season they will just want the location.

What should I do with the dead bird until it is picked up for testing for West Nile virus? Your local health department will give you instructions on how to handle the bird. It is most likely that they will ask you to store it in a non-food refrigerator or freezer. Use gloves to handle the carcass.

If a freezer is not available, you may be asked to cover the bird in ice and then cover the ice with a bucket. The bird may be picked up with a gloved hand or shovel, double bagged in plastic and placed in the trash. This will change with the priorities of the health departments and the pattern of West Nile virus activity, so it is not possible to provide a specific answer for a given locality.

When will I receive the test results of the bird s that I submitted for testing for West Nile virus? The amount of time required for testing and reporting results is variable and depends on the current priorities of the health departments and the pattern of West Nile virus activity.

Test results are used to monitor the activity of West Nile virus and to help decide whether it is necessary to implement mosquito control activities. How can I help protect my family and myself from mosquitoes and the diseases, such as West Nile virus, they may carry? If West Nile virus or other mosquito borne illnesses are known to be active in the area then precautions against mosquito bites should be taken. Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, especially during the evenings.

Also, take steps to reduce mosquito activity around the home. What can I do to reduce my risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus? What else can we do to protect ourselves from mosquito bites and West Nile virus?

Should we stay indoors to protect ourselves from mosquito bites and West Nile virus? The risk of contracting West Nile virus is low. Yes, fogging will provide temporary relief from mosquitoes. However, new mosquitoes will quickly reinvade your backyard from nearby untreated areas, often later that same evening. The best way to control adult mosquitoes is through community or government sponsored programs that control adults over a wide area.

Yes, the flooded area can be treated with floating Bti briquets or other approved larvicides. A longer term solution would be to fill in the depression, if feasible, or improve the drainage in that spot. If your farm, particularly the irrigation system, has water that stands for more than a week then it is a potential mosquito breeding site.

Maintain your irrigation system so that water moves freely. Avoid leaks that allow ponding, and control vegetation that may impede water movement. Mosquito repellents are an effective means of personal protection against mosquito bites.

Mosquito repellents lower the risk of contracting West Nile virus and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. They allow you to continue to work and play outdoors even when mosquitoes are active. Use of a mosquito repellent is particularly important in areas where mosquitoes are active and management programs are not available or are not ongoing.

The most important transmitters of West Nile virus are active at dusk and dawn. However, other kinds of mosquitoes, which also may be able to transmit the disease, bite during the day. To be on the safe side, use a mosquito repellent whenever you plan on being outdoors for extended periods of time, but especially during the evening hours.

To be on the safe side, use a mosquito repellent whenever you plan on being outdoors for extended periods of time, especially during the evening hours.

Follow the instructions on the label. Mosquito repellent products differ in how long they last depending on the amount and type of active ingredient, as well as how it is formulated. It is generally not necessary to use mosquito repellents indoors.

If you are getting bitten indoors there are other steps to eliminate mosquito activity that should be taken first. The most important is to make sure all windows and doors are screened and that the screens are in good repair. They work over fairly short distances so the mosquitoes remain in the area but do not land on your skin. Most studies have shown that the mosquito repellent called DEET is the most effective, and most public health agencies recommend the use of mosquito repellent products with this active ingredient.