West Nile surveillance begins, public urged to prevent spread of virus | Local

PPHD, in cooperation with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, tracks West Nile virus during the months of May through October. The PPHD uses the Center for Disease Control (CDC) light traps to collect mosquitoes for testing. If you see any of these traps in the area during the summer months, it means efforts are underway to track the mosquitoes. Once the mosquitoes are collected, they are sent to the Nebraska Public Health Environmental Lab.

Panhandle residents are advised to exercise caution when outside. To prevent mosquito bites, PPHD recommends:

– Application of an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil;

– Wearing a long-sleeved shirt, pants and socks in wooded areas or areas of tall grass;

– Avoid going out at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active;

– Eliminate stagnant water to reduce mosquito breeding sites

– Maintain mosquito nets in good condition, and;

– Use larvicides containing Bacillus thuringiensis in stagnant water that is difficult to drain.