Protect Yourself: Arizona is Experiencing a Record High Season for West Nile Virus

Amid a wetter monsoon season than recent years, Arizona is experiencing a record high season for the West Nile virus, which transmits through mosquito bites. Through late last week, Arizona had seen 123 cases and four deaths. Nearly all of them have been in Maricopa County, where West Nile virus has been detected in record numbers of mosquitos studied.

Most people infected with West Nile virus don’t get symptoms. However, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more prone to neuroinvasive diseases that can be fatal.

West Nile virus was first detected in Arizona in 2003. People are infected through a bite from an infected mosquito. Birds and other animals can’t transmit it, and the West Nile virus can’t be spread through person-to-person contact.

The most effective way to guard against West Nile virus is protecting yourself and your family from mosquitoes. Fortunately, you can accomplish this by taking some simple steps.

First, take steps to prevent mosquito bites throughout the day. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent (see our tips for applying repellent to small children) and make sure windows and doors that you may leave open have intact screens. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Protect your home by eliminating standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Only a small amount in a flower pot, bucket, upturned children’s toys, or any other potential basin can become a mosquito breeding ground. Standing water that can’t be discarded can be treated with larvicides that usually are available at the hardware store. Also keep your yard clear of debris to reduce places where mosquitoes like to breed.

A wetter-than-usual monsoon season has been a refreshing break from the summer heat. But it does come with a greater need to be aware of mosquitoes.

Please visit our website for more information on mosquito-borne illnesses and how to protect yourself.

By Jessica Rigler|2021-09-21T08:25:28-07:00September 21st, 2021|Preparedness|Comments Off

About the Author: Jessica Rigler

Jessica Rigler, an Arizona native, began her public health career more than 15 years ago, serving in varied roles with local, state, federal, and international public health agencies. Jessica has been with the Arizona Department of Health Services for over 12 years, supporting evaluation activities with the state immunization program, serving as the state’s first Healthcare Associated Infections Coordinator, and leading the Bureau of Epidemiology and Disease Control. She is currently an Assistant Director overseeing the Division of Public Health Preparedness at ADHS, which spans the areas of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health Statistics, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory. In recent years, Jessica has worked with the ADHS team to lead critical public health responses including opioids and COVID-19. Jessica holds Bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and human development from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master’s degree in public health from Emory University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and certified in infection control.