West Nile virus on the rise in Fresno County. Here’s how you can protect yourself

An increase in West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes prompted officials Friday to issue an alert for Fresno County residents.

Katherine Ramirez of the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District called the discovery of more virus-carrying insects concerning, and urged people to prevent development of mosquito infestations around their homes.

The district has collected West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes from areas within the cities of Fresno, Clovis, Sanger and Reedley, Ramirez said.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. There are no vaccines to prevent infection or medications to treat the virus in humans. About one in five patients develop a fever and other symptoms. About one in 150 develop serious, sometimes fatal illnesses.

The risk of mosquito bites is highest after sundown, and Ramirez said the best way to avoid bites is by applying insect repellent on exposed skin and by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants from dusk to dawn. Also, since mosquitoes breed in water, dumping containers at least once a week is recommended.

The district applies insecticides to control mosquitoes in cities and rural areas, including the use of insecticide fog from a truck-mounted sprayer at night to target adult insects. For locations of spray activity, go to the district’s website.