West Nile Virus Found in Local Mosquitoes

Fairfax County officials identified four positive pools of West Nile Virus in late May and early June, but they say the infection rate is extremely low.

"For the last several years we have detected the presence of WVN in mosquitoes in Fairfax County. It is not unexpected," Glen Barbour, Public Safety Information Officer for the Fairfax County Health Department, wrote in an email to Patch.

To date this season, Fairfax County officials have tested 578 pools.

"The positive pools were taken between May 28 and June 10. I'm told that our infection rate is less than 1/1,000 — which is considered very low," Barbour said.

West Nile Virus was found in Culex mosquitoes.

they have found West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes, as well.

West Nile Virus symptoms may be flu-like, including fever, headache, tiredness and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash (on the trunk of the body) and swollen lymph glands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 80 percent of people who contract West Nile Virus have no symptoms. However, about 1 in every 150 people may wind up with much more severe symptoms, up to and including West Nile encephalitis.

Last week was Mosquito Awareness Week in Fairfax County. (See Fairfax County’s mosquito tips slideshow on Flickr here.

Fairfax County Health Department officials have these recommendations for residents:

• When spending time outdoors, use insect repellent.  Always use mosquito repellents according to label instructions.
• Wear long, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
• Turn over or remove containers in your yard where water collects, such as old tires, potted plant trays, buckets and toys.
• Eliminate standing water on tarps, such as those that may be used to cover wood piles.
• Clean out bird baths and wading pools once a week.
• Clean roof gutters and make sure black corrugated drain pipes drain properly.