On Wednesday, July 15, adult mosquitoes collected from two trap sites in the city of Arnold tested positive for the West Nile virus, the Jefferson County Health Department reported Thursday, July 16.
The Health Department conducts surveillance in this area but does not have jurisdiction for control, the written statement said, adding that city officials have been notified of the positive results.
The Health Department’s Mosquito Control and Surveillance program will continue to monitor mosquitoes for the West Nile virus throughout the county.
The Health Department asks that residents remain diligent in protecting themselves and their families from mosquitoes. Residents should continue using insect repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that contain one of the following active ingredients: DEET; picardian; oil of lemon eucalyptus; IR3535 or 2-undecanone.
Whenever possible, residents should wear clothes that cover exposed skin to reduce the risk of being bitten. Residents can reduce the number of mosquitoes around their home and property by getting rid of all standing water at least one time per week and scrub out any containers that were holding standing water.
For more information about the Health Department’s Mosquito Control and Surveillance Program, preventing mosquito-spread diseases, or mosquito control, visit www.jeffcohealth.org.