Stagnant water in Collier County raises fears of spread of West Nile virus

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla .– The Collier Mosquito Control District has encouraged people to drain standing water after seeing large numbers of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus.

Steady rains over the past few weeks have resulted in stagnant water throughout Collier County. Robin King of Collier Mosquito Control said standing water is breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“When we see the water go up this high and go to places that maybe it wasn’t before, we know it’s just going to create more opportunities for mosquitoes,” King said.

King said much of the standing water is in the northern parts of Collier County where the roads have washed away. People are encouraged to drain standing water near their homes and to use insect repellant. Experts also recommend that people who have ditches filled with still water to ask the Collier County Mosquito Control District for mosquitoes, which will eat the larvae.

“If it’s just standing water, you can contact us to come and pick up mosquito fish,” she said.

The district has used drones, planes, trucks and helicopters to release material intended to kill adult mosquitoes and larvae in many areas of Collier County. King said mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile virus are found in various pockets across the county. The Florida Department of Health in Collier County has sent a mosquito-borne illness notice.

“If we see an increase, we’ll do everything in our power to get it under control and contain it,” King said.

King said no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported this year. She said some people who contract the virus may be asymptomatic while for others it can be fatal. Other people who survive it can have life-long debilitating effects, according to King.