Monsoon season began last weekend, and while the season might bring cooler temperatures, it also creates perfect conditions for weather hazards like heavy rain, flash floods, high winds, and dust storms. High winds and dust storms can affect air quality, driving conditions, and can increase the chance of contracting water-borne illnesses. Air quality Microscopic dust [...]
Monsoon 2022 has arrived, and with it the promise of thunderstorms that will bring welcome rain. But the storms and the dust they kick up also bring health hazards, especially for those who already have respiratory ailments. Dust storms and heavy downpours occur across the state but are a higher concern for more than 6 [...]
Spring brings with it many beautiful things. Wildflowers. Blooms on saguaro cactus. Warmer weather in mountainous areas that have been cold and snowy during the winter. Spring and summer also give rise to mosquitoes. That calls for some care when you get out to enjoy the flowers and great weather, and when you tend to [...]
The month of October is high mosquito season in Sonora, Mexico and there have been reports of local transmission of dengue and Zika viruses. With the upcoming three-day weekend and many schools on fall break over the next several weeks, it’s important to remind Arizonans about increased mosquito activity in Sonora in the event they [...]
Monsoon season is fast-approaching and with it thunderstorm activity that will continue through September, during which more than half of Arizona’s yearly rainfall will occur. You and your family will be able to enjoy some great views of Arizona’s extreme weather, but it is also important to be aware that thunderstorms may result in alerts for flash flooding, high winds, and lightning. This [...]
While some mosquitoes can be active throughout the year in parts of Arizona, peak season is usually April through October. So as we head into the warmer months, public health and vector control professionals have been attending training to ensure they are prepared to prevent and control mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile and Zika [...]
With the holiday season upon us, you may be planning to travel to visit family and friends or to see different climates. Whatever the reason, it is important to take steps to stay safe while traveling. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website to view any travel notices and to check areas of [...]
On April 1st, a delegation of state and local public health professionals from Arizona joined up with experts across the county at CDC's Zika Action Plan Summit in Atlanta. Arizona has already done quite a bit in preparation for the arrival of Zika virus in Arizona, including developing response plans, meeting monthly with state and [...]
In the summer of 1994 a U of A entomologist was sampling insects in the backyard of his Tucson home when he netted some dark colored mosquitoes with silver bands on their legs. He suspected that they were a tropical breed that shouldn’t be in the Sonoran Desert and sent them to us for identification. His suspicions [...]
The West Nile virus is making its annual visit to Arizona. We’ve had several cases now in Arizona (and 1 death) - mostly from the East Valley in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. Most of these cases have the more severe form of West Nile virus which causes meningitis or encephalitis. We rarely hear of most cases because [...]
