“Thus far, presence of West Nile Virus has been noted in Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8”

Photo by PoPville flickr user quemac

From an email:

“Please be informed that the West Nile Virus (WNV) has made presence in the District of Columbia since early June. When we discussed the positive results last year from your area, I anticipated a similar outcome of WNV infection for 2014 summer. This year up to now, the following mosquito pools were reported positive for West Nile Virus on August 5:

• eleven total pools containing a total of 108 Culex sp. mosquitoes, collected on July 24 from the west of Ward 8 and confirmed on July 31.

• two pools containing a total of 31 Culex sp. mosquitoes, collected on July 22 from the south of Ward 5 and confirmed on July 31.

Thus far, presence of West Nile Virus has been noted in Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Moreover, your area at the western location in Ward 8 has received continuous positive results during the month of July up to the present.

Thank you for your collaboration,
Maria Hille

Supervisory Biologist, M.S., Animal Disease Control/HRLA DC Department of Health / Government of the District of Columbia”

Uh – break out time to break out the deet!!

UPDATE:

“Mosquitos are always of concern and problematic during the hotter months of the year and especially during times of increased rain fall. To that point, the best method of minimizing mosquitos is to be sure that all standing water has been removed from a property including flower pots, buckets, open bins and old tires. Any standing water present on a property allows for the breeding cycle of mosquitos to perpetuate as noted by the mosquito larvae found in the standing water.

Additionally, properties that have large amounts of vegetation and/or wooded areas are also areas of increased mosquito populations. Decreasing vegetation and trimming trees and bushes will also help to decrease the mosquito population.

The Department of Health is able to send an investigator to a property to evaluate the area and to make recommendations. The Department of Health can also provide mosquito larvacide to be placed in District street drains to help decrease the mosquito population. The District does NOT however, allow or provide for the spraying of mosquitos do to the negative environmental impact on multiple species of animals and plant life. In addition, spraying leads to the increased complications associated with District residents who may show signs of respiratory distress and/or allergic reaction.

Please let us know if you would like for a member of our team to evaluate your property for recommendations on mosquito infestation.

Thank you,
Vito R. DelVento, DVM, MS
Executive Director | Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
Program Manager | Animal Services Program
DC Department of Health | Government of the District of Columbia
899 North Capitol Street, NE | 2nd Floor | Washington, DC 20002
Office: (202) 724-8813 | Mobile: (202) 420-9250 | Fax: (202) 535-1359
[email protected] | www.doh.dc.gov”