Three samples tested positive for the West Nile virus from three collection sites near Missouri American Water facilities in Arnold, Community Development Director David Bookless said this afternoon.
The Jefferson County Health Department informed the city of the positive tests today, Sept. 3. The samples were from the Missouri American Water Pomme metering system, 3090 Arnold Tenbrook Road; Missouri American Water Keller Pump Station, 620 Weilder Road; and Missouri American Water 141 Pump Station, Bookless said in a statement reporting the positive test results.
Bookless said Arnold typically increases abatement efforts after receiving reports of positive tests for the West Nile virus. He said the city already has been spraying more frequently at Arnold City Park.
Bookless said Arnold sprays public streets and parks once a week, and the city intends to spray more frequently near the facilities where the positive tests were collected.
He said the city uses a chemical, which is called Aqua-Reslin. He said the chemical’s main active ingredient is permethrin, which is an insecticide in the pyrethroid family.
Products containing permethrin may be used in public health mosquito control programs. Also, they may be used on food and feed crops, on ornamental lawns, on livestock and pets, in structures and buildings and on clothing. Permethrin is used in multiple everyday items such as topical creams and lotions for head lice, scabies and pet flea collars. Permethrin may also be used in places where food is handled, such as restaurants, according to Bookless’ statement
For more information about Arnold’s approach to mosquito abatement, go to arnoldmo.org/government/departments/community-development/health/mosquito-control.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental U.S. Most people affected with the virus don’t feel sick. But about one in five people develop a fever and other symptoms and one in 150 people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
The Health Department encourages residents throughout the county to be diligent in protecting themselves and their loved ones from mosquitoes when they are outdoors, both during the day and night. Protection from mosquitoes and the diseases they carry can be as simple as:
• Using insect repellents that contain 20 to 50 percent DEET or Picaridin.
• Wearing light-colored clothes.
• Covering exposed skin.
In addition to personal protection, residents may protect their homes and property by removing standing water sources, such as tires, cans, buckets, flowerpot sills, or other containers that can hold water for mosquitoes to lay their eggs in.
The Jefferson County Health Department reported that West Nile virus was found in mosquito populations in High Ridge, Fenton and De Soto areas last month.