On July 22, adult mosquitoes collected from a trap site in the city of De Soto tested positive for the West Nile virus, the Jefferson County Health Department reported Monday, July 27.
According to a statement from the Health Department, De Soto officials have been notified of the positive results, and the Health Department began implementing control measures in the affected areas on the evening of July 22.
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 once 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.