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Can I get the West Nile Virus (WNV) from mosquitoes in Alamance County?
Yes, you can. The West Nile Virus (WNV) is rarely passed from mosquitoes to humans but it is possible. WNV can cause “Encephalitis” which is an infection of the brain and can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Mosquitoes get the virus from biting birds that have WNV. If that mosquito bites a human, it could pass the virus to the human. Only certain mosquitoes can carry WNV and pass it on to humans.
The people most at risk for serious illness from WNV are people age 50 or over or people who are already sick with a long-term illness. WNV can be deadly but it is very rare to get WNV and even more rare to die from it.
It is important to understand the life cycleof a mosquito in order to keep mosquitoes from being pests.
A mosquito has four (4) parts to its life cycle
To go from being an egg to an adult, the egg needs water to be able to hatch into an adult mosquito. This can take as little as one (1) week. If you take the water away, the egg cannot complete its cycle and will not become an adult mosquito and feed on humans.
What can I do to protect myself and my family from the West Nile Virus (WNV)?
1. Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Home
Mosquitoes like to breed in places around the home that hold water, such as:
- wheelbarrows
- tires
- tin cans
- buckets
bird baths
flowerpots
clogged gutters Tip and Turn Over these types of things that can be found around your house to keep water out. Even in the rim of a flowerpot, hundreds of mosquito larvae can be found ready to hatch into adult mosquitoes. 2. Stay Indoors at dusk, dawn, and in the early evening.
Mosquito season can start as early as March and go as late as mid-November. 3. Use Repellant
If you are in an area that you know has mosquitoes, use a mosquito repellant that contains DEET to keep mosquitoes away. Be sure to spray your clothing with DEET repellant since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. 4. Wear A Long Sleeved Shirt and Long Pants whenever you are outdoors. For more information click HERE
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