Fight mosquitoes around the home

Clark County Public Health officials are urging county residents to take basic but effective steps to limit mosquito breeding and the spread of West Nile virus this summer.

The virus is present in the region but isn’t yet established in Clark County. To help prevent its arrival, residents are urged to eliminate potential mosquito habitat around their homes.

The best methods are to drain standing water from flower pots, old tires or anything else that can hold water. Water in birdbaths, ponds, pools and pet bowls and troughs should be changed at least twice a week. Clogged rain gutters should also be cleaned since they are potential breeding grounds for mosquitos.

While outdoors, prevent being bitten by using insect repellents with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus — especially during dawn and dusk. Be sure your home’s screen doors and windows are tightly sealed. If practical, especially while in wooded areas, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants and head covering. Babies can be protected with mosquito netting over their carriers and strollers while outdoors.

There is no vaccine for West Nile virus. Most infected people won’t have any symptoms, but it can cause severe illness with long-term neurological issues in 1 in 150 people. The disease can’t be spread between people or animals.

Clark County Mosquito Control District will actively monitor and test for West Nile in local mosquito populations.

The Zika virus is not a threat to Pacific Northwest residents because the mosquitos that carry it do not live in this region. However, travelers who plan to visit areas where the virus is present are encouraged to be extra cautious.

Pregnant women should avoid traveling to Zika-affected areas including the Caribbean and much of Latin America. The disease causes symptoms in only about 20 percent of affected people, but babies can suffer severe birth defects.

For more information on local mosquito control efforts, contact the Mosquito Control District at 360-397-8430 or visit www.clark.wa.gov/mosquito/index.html. For more information on Zika, visit: www.cdc.gov