The Jefferson County Health Department found five more samples of mosquitoes with the West Nile virus in the county this summer. The latest samples were collected Sept. 11 in Crystal City, Hematite, Imperial and Kimmswick, where previous samples of mosquitoes with West Nile were found this summer. The fifth positive sample was collected in De Soto, which was the first time mosquitoes with the virus were found in that town this summer.
In all, the Health Department has found positive samples in seven towns in Jefferson County this summer. Mosquitoes with the virus also were found in Arnold and Cedar Hill.
The department’s Mosquito Control and Surveillance program will continue to monitor mosquitoes throughout the county, the Health Department said in a written statement.
The department still encourages residents throughout the county to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and to prevent (or at least minimize) population growth in mosquitoes.
Some protection measures include using insect repellent containing 20-50 percent DEET or Picaridin, wearing light-colored clothing and removing standing water sources where mosquitoes can lay eggs, like old tires, cans, buckets, flower pots or pools.
For more information about the Health Department’s mosquito control efforts or to learn more about preventing diseases spread by mosquitoes, contact the Health Department’s Vector Control and Surveillance Program at 636-797-3737, ext. 170.