A large amount of water and recent warm weather are resulting in an increase of mosquitoes in Utah County.
“The rains created a breeding ground for mosquitoes that have been hatching in increasing numbers,” said Ryan Rasmussen, Utah County Health Department,Vector Control, Mosquito Abatement Division. “We are seeing a lot of flood-water mosquitoes due primarily to the rains.”
The Mosquito Abatement Division has the dual task of surveillance and control of mosquitoes. It traps mosquitoes to take back to the lab to identify species as well as determine the prevalence of mosquitoes.
“Knowing the species is important because all mosquitoes aren’t created equally,” said Lance Madigan, public information officer, Utah County Health Department. “Some are what we refer to as nuisance bugs — they bite and itch, but they don’t actually carry disease. Others carry such things as West Nile Virus. Surveillance helps us to know what is out there and warn the public.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, culex mosquitoes spread West Nile virus (WNV) that can cause serious, life-altering disease. West Nile virus can cause disease in humans and animals. The virus was found in the U.S. in 1999 and in Utah in August 2003.
No cases of the disease have been reported in Utah this year, but July and August are the two most active months for mosquitoes in the state because of warm temperatures.
Mosquito abatement services are provided as a public service and any call for testing or spraying is free of charge to homeowners throughout the state.
“Abatement is our mosquito control efforts,” Madigan said. “We go after the bugs in both their larval stage as well as adult mosquitoes.”
The Mosquito Abatement Division uses fogging trucks in the evening (when the disease mosquitoes are out), and in the last couple of years they have contracted with an aerial spraying company to treat areas around the Utah Lake shore where it is hard or nearly impossible to get land-bound equipment.
“The most common way people get infected by the virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito,” said Dan Miller, Vector Control, Mosquito Abatement Division.
The mosquito is referred to as a vector, meaning the disease grows in one organism (such as birds) but can be transferred through the vector to another (such as humans).
“We may not be able to cure or eliminate the disease, but we can interrupt the vector and save human lives,” Madigan said.
The chance that any person is going to become ill from a single mosquito bite remains low. The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old, although people of all ages can become ill.
Since 2004, there have been 85 confirmed human cases of the West Nile in Utah County.
The best way to prepare for the season is by eliminating or treating standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
“Standing water is the ideal place for mosquitoes to breed,” Rasmussen said. “A lot of people forget even a pop can that is open can be a nice little nursery for hundreds of little mosquitoes.”
People can also prevent mosquito bites by using repellent spray, and be aware mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn.
“To protect yourself and your family, individuals should cover up with long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks,” Madigan said. “There is no treatment for WNV. All we can do is treat the symptoms and give supportive care to infected individuals. That is why prevention is so important.”
For more information visit health.utah.gov/wnv/.
