On Tuesday, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus in Arizona this season. West Nile virus can cause severe illness, although only about 20% of those infected will develop any symptoms at all, usually flu-like: fever, headache, body aches, and muscle weakness. We distributed a joint news release to help spread the word on prevention.
Please make sure you and your family are taking these precautions to prevent mosquito bites:
- Wear mosquito repellant or long sleeved shirts and pants when outside.
- Check your home for any containers that could hold water after rains or irrigation, including old tires, bottles, drums, and buckets.
- Ensure water-holding containers are covered or turned over to protect them from mosquito eggs.
- Make sure doors and windows have tightly fitted screens. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes in them.
- Clean and change the water in flower vases, birdbaths, planters and animal watering pans at least once a week.
- Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets.
Our department website has a wealth of information on mosquito-borne diseases and how you can protect your home and your family from disease spread by a mosquito bite. If you have any questions regarding your home or community, please contact your local health department.
Thanks for your sharing. There are more and more risk of disease day by day.