West Nile Infected Mosquitoes Spreading

None by Lara Jones

Peak Season Still Month Away

(KCPW News) West Nile virus started showing up in Salt Lake County mosquitoes in late April. Now it's been detected in Utah County. The vector mosquitoes that carry West Nile have shown up early and in droves, but they're just getting started, according to Sam Dickson, manager of the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District.

"Their numbers tend to peak around the third week of July. So even though we have large numbers now, we can expect those numbers to be even larger in the next three to four weeks," Dickson says, adding that "when those numbers hit their peaks is about the time that those mosquitoes typically quit feeding on birds and start feeding on people."

In fact, the greatest chance of being bitten by a West Nile-infected mosquito will be mid- to late-July, which is also high season for family barbecues, softball games, and other outdoor activities in the waning evening hours. Dress the part, says Dickson, with long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Plus wear a repellant with DEET, make sure all window screens are in good repair, and perhaps consider lighting the charcoals on your barbecue a little bit earlier in the evening.

"The chances of actually getting West Nile are very slim, and they're very slim especially if people take some precautions," Dickson says. "So with a little precaution people can enjoy their lives and enjoy their outdoors, without getting West Nile."

Although it has been detected in wild birds and chickens, West Nile virus has yet to show up in Utah's human population this year.

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