Controlling West Nile virus easier when mosquitoes are curbed

MOSES LAKE — The return of warm weather brings with it the return of mosquito activity, and with the bugs, the possibility of West Nile virus.

Amber McCoy, environmental health specialist with the Grant County Health District, said most people who get West Nile virus won’t get very sick, but for some people it can be serious and even fatal.

In humans, symptoms appear from two days to two weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Mild symptoms include fever, body aches and headaches, and sometimes people will have a rash or swollen glands, according to the GCHD website. Mild symptoms will last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Serious cases are rare, McCoy said. About 20% of people who contract West Nile will have symptoms, she said, and fewer than 1% will get a serious case.

But a person who has a serious case can experience symptoms for years afterwards. People who have a serious case will have a high fever, a stiff neck, convulsions, muscle weakness and disorientation.

While humans are less likely to be affected, West Nile is really bad for horses.

“It’s terrible to horses,” said Ann Belchik-Moser, director of Grant County Mosquito Control District 1. “It’s not nice, what those poor horses go through.”

According to statistics from the Washington State Department of Health, the last human case in Grant County was in 2015.

The mosquito control district traps and tests mosquitoes to see if they’re carrying the virus. And the disease consistently has been identified in mosquitoes, even in years when there are no human cases.

Mosquitoes pick it up from birds and transmit it to humans and horses. But humans and horses are what are called “dead-end hosts.” Humans and horses can’t transmit it, Belchik-Moser said.

Not only to reduce the spread of West Nile virus, but just for general summer enjoyment, there are things people can do to reduce the places mosquitoes can breed.

Standing water is an invitation for mosquitoes.

“The key is that it (water) is stagnant. It’s not moving,” Belchik-Moser said.

Mosquitoes like standing water even better if there’s vegetation in it. Belchik-Moser cited the case of the rain gutters on a house.

“If there are leaves or any kind of debris in the gutters, they will hold water. The mosquitoes will gladly have a great life with all that organic material in there,” she said.

“Buckets, dog bowls, everything should be dumped out at least once a week,” Belchik-Moser added. “Anything that holds water has the potential to breed mosquitoes.”

“Something as simple as a small bottle cap will breed mosquitoes,” mosquito district assistant manager Carina LeFave said. “A couple tablespoons is all it takes.”

Bird baths, backyard water features, horse troughs all can attract mosquitoes looking for a place to lay eggs, if the water isn’t moving.

“Even kiddie pools,” said Misty Aguilar, GCHD public information officer.

Mosquitoes are very active from dusk to dawn, so that’s a good time to stay indoors. Screens on windows and doors should be checked to ensure nasty biting bugs can’t get in the house. Long sleeves and long pants are a good idea in areas that are home to mosquitoes, like wetlands and woods.

And there are effective mosquito repellents, including DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Most repellents have a number on the label, and the higher the number the higher the amount of active ingredient, Belchik-Moser said.