A batch of mosquitoes collected from the north end of Los Peasquitos Lagoon, near Del Mar and parts of San Diego, recently tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting County environmental health officials to remind residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes that can transmit the virus.
County authorities advised residents to continue following the County’s “Prevent, Protect, Report” rules, which include detecting and removing standing water around houses to prevent mosquito breeding.
This is the first time the illness has been detected in mosquitos this year. However, no locally acquired human West Nile virus infections have been documented.
People who become infected often experience minor symptoms like as headache, fever, nausea, exhaustion, skin rash, or swollen glands. However, in rare circumstances, West Nile virus can cause severe illness and even death. In 2015, 44 people in San Diego County tested positive for West Nile virus, and six people died as a result.
West Nile virus is mostly a bird illness, but it may be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that feed on infected animals, primarily birds, and then bite people.
Mosquito protection is always vital in San Diego County. Mosquitoes like to dwell and breed close to humans, in yards, and even inside homes. Some invasive species, such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika, have the ability to spread illnesses not natively prevalent here, but only if they bite an infected human first.
County authorities emphasized that individuals should follow the County’s “Prevent, Protect, Report” rules to help protect themselves from mosquitoes and associated diseases.
Stop mosquito breeding
Dump or remove any object that can contain water inside or outside of dwellings, such as plant saucers, rain gutters, buckets, garbage cans, toys, old tires, and wheelbarrows. Mosquito fish, which may be obtained for free through the Vector prevent Program, can be used to prevent mosquito reproduction in backyard water sources such as stagnant swimming pools, ponds, fountains, and horse troughs.
Take precautions against mosquito bites.
Wear long sleeves and pants or apply insect repellent when outside to protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases. Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, or IR3535. Check that the screens on windows and doors are in excellent shape and securely fastened to keep insects away.
Report any probable mosquito activity as well as dead birds.
Call (858) 694-2888 or email vector@sdcounty.ca.gov to report increasing mosquito activity or stagnant, green swimming pools and other mosquito-breeding sites, as well as dead birds – dead crows, ravens, jays, hawks, and owls — to environmental health’s Vector Control Program.
To understand how to avoid and defend against mosquito bites, visit San Diego County’s “Fight the Bite” website, SDFightTheBite.com.
Here are some recommendations to protect your yard from becoming a mosquito breeding habitat.