Fremont County West Nile Virus free, so far; Numbers of mosquitos beginning to climb
(Lander, Wyo.) – Good news, at least for now. “I am happy to report that there is no indication of West Nile Virus in Fremont County,” said Nancy Pieropan, the assistant supervisor of Fremont County Weed and Pest on Thursday. In her weekly report of what was found in mosquito traps around the county, none of the captured mosquitos tested positive for the disease.
Culex mosquitos are the ones that carry the disease, and of those captured and tested on July 2nd, there were 12 in Lander, 6 in Riverton and none in Hudson. The total mosquito numbers caught in traps was 124 in Lander, 3,300 in Hudson, and 110 in Riverton.
The Centers for Disease Control notes that “no one is safe from West Nile virus, but there are steps you can take to help prevent West Nile virus infection:
- Apply insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing when you go outdoors. Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent. Permethrin sprayed on clothing provides protection through several washes. Don’t spray repellent on skin under clothing and don’t use permethrin on skin.
- Cover up! Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants and socks while outdoors to prevent mosquito bites.
- Avoid mosquitoes. The mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus bite between dusk and dawn. Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors during these hours. If you are outside, be sure to wear repellent and protective clothing.
- Support your local community mosquito control programs. Mosquito control activities are most often handled at the local level, such as through county or city government. The type of mosquito control methods used by a program depends on the time of year, the type of mosquitoes to be controlled, and the habitats where the mosquitoes live. Methods can include eliminating mosquito larval habitats, applying insecticides to kill mosquito larvae, or spraying insecticides from trucks or aircraft to kill adult mosquitoes. Your local mosquito control program can provide information about the type of products being used in your area. Check with your local health department for more information.
CDC recommends a variety of safe and effective repellents for you and your family. There are those that can protect you for a short while in the backyard or a long while in the woods.
Look for these active ingredients recommended by CDC and EPA:
- plant-based oil of lemon eucalyptus
Pick your favorite insect repellent and use it whenever you go outside!
All contain an EPA-registered active ingredient and have been evaluated for efficacy and safety. EPA has a long listing of every registered repellent brand in the U.S. There are safe and effective repellents for every budget, age and preference.
— Fremont County Weed and Pest and Centers for Disease Control