West Nile Virus has now been detected in mosquitoes in both Lee & Collier Counties. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they feed on birds that have it, and it can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It cannot be spread among people through sneezing, coughing, or touch. Most people who contract West Nile Virus do not exhibit symptoms, but in about 1 in 150 cases it can cause severe illness affecting the central nervous system like encephalitis or meningitis.
Both Lee and Collier Counties have robust mosquito control operations to protect human health, and human standard of living. And they have extensive monitoring operations to try and stay ahead of the flying pests, and track the presence of viruses like West Nile, Dengue, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Chikungunya, and Zika.
We discuss the implications of the presence of West Nile Virus in local mosquito populations, and get an overview of monitoring and control operations, with Patrick Linn, Executive Director of the Collier County Mosquito Control District; and Aaron Lloyd, Assistant Director of the Lee County Mosquito Control District.
We followed up with the Florida Department of Health in Collier County and a spokesperson said there have not been any "confirmed" cases of West Nile in humans in Collier County, but that the FDOH will not comment on “suspected or presumptive positive” cases.
Visit the Lee & CollierCounty Mosquito Control Districts’ websites to find information about ways to limit the presence of mosquitoes around your home, including dumping standing water, dressing protectively with long sleeves and pants, avoiding being out at dusk and dawn, and using a repellent with proven effectiveness like Deet.
Click HERE to find a recent story from WGCU’s Cary Barbour about two common breeds of mosquitoes that have become resistant to a commonly used insecticide.