Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Fairfax County

July 1, 2006

The Fairfax County Health Department today announced that a mosquito pool collected in Fairfax County has tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the first positive mosquito pool identified this year in Virginia.
 
“This is a reminder to residents that West Nile virus is still active in Fairfax County and now is the time for people to pay close attention to eliminating mosquito breeding areas around their neighborhoods before more mosquitoes become infected, particularly after the large amount of rain that we received this past week,” said Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H., health director. “Removing breeding sites protects everyone and reduces risk of infection for the whole community.”

West Nile virus is spread to birds, humans, horses and other mammals through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most people bitten by a mosquito infected with West Nile virus do not get sick. Those that develop symptoms usually suffer a mild, flu-like illness.  People older than 50 are at greatest risk of more severe illness, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).
 
Since May, the Fairfax County Health Department’s Environmental Health staff has taken a proactive approach to combating West Nile virus by treating more than 30,000 storm drains with an environmentally-friendly larvicide which inhibits mosquito breeding. More storm drain treatments are scheduled throughout the mosquito season, which typically runs from May until October. While these treatments will not eliminate all of the mosquitoes that carry the virus, the mosquito population may be reduced. 
 
“We are closely monitoring mosquitoes this year and have tested more than 31,000 so far, looking for West Nile and other arboviruses,” said Jorge Arias, Ph.D., Fairfax County environmental health entomologist.
 
Fairfax County has an active outreach and education program and staff are aggressively promoting the mosquito management campaign, “Fight the Bite: Say NO to MOsquitoes.” A number of educational materials have been developed for English and non-English speaking residents.
 
The Health Department recommends the following tips for residents to reduce exposure to mosquitoes:

• When spending time outdoors, use insect repellents containing the active ingredient DEET (up to 30 percent), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.  Always use mosquito repellents according to label instructions.
• Wear long, loose fitting, light colored clothing.
• Turn over or remove containers in your yard where water collects, such as old tires, potted plant trays, buckets and toys.
• Fill in root-ball holes from downed trees or any depression that holds water for more than a week.
• Eliminate standing water on tarps, such as those that may be used to cover wood piles.
• Clean out bird baths and wading pools once a week.
• Clean roof gutters and black corrugated drain pipes.

For More Information:

Residents may call the Health Department’s Disease Carrying Insect Program at 703-246-2300, TTY 703-591-6435 for more information.

To request this information in an alternate format, call the Health Department at 703-246-2411 or TTY 703-591-6435.