Carson City begins mosquito treatments to prevent West Nile Virus
Carson City Health and Human Services conducted its first seasonal helicopter mosquito treatment Tuesday morning in the Anderson Ranch area. The treatment covered approximately 210 acres
The treatment is safe for humans and animals and it is intended to reduce the number of mosquitos in the area, according to CCHHS. More treatments are planned for later in the season.
According to the CDC, West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall.
There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.
To learn what steps you can take to prevent mosquitos in your yard visit https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/vectorcontrol/index.html