Press release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Health Department:
More mosquito spraying set for Wednesday
Another round of mosquito spraying to curb the spread of West Nile virus will take place Wednesday.
For the second week in a row, vector control crews with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health will spray around the 2600 block of Ardmore Avenue, the 1400 block of Park Avenue, and the 2100 block of Forest Park Boulevard, all in Wayne Township, and the 6800 block of Chadwick Avenue in Adams Township, as a result of ongoing West Nile virus activity in those areas.
Maps of the proposed spray areas are included with this release and available on the department’s Web site at www.allencountyhealth.com. Spraying will begin at approximately 8 p.m. Wednesday, weather permitting. Spraying will not occur when the temperature is below 55 °F, wind speeds exceed 10 mph or it is raining.
Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as West Nile virus which, when transmitted to humans, can cause symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash. A more severe form of the disease can lead to neurological disorders, coma and even death.
The health department’s mosquito control program focuses on eliminating potential breeding sites, larviciding to reduce the mosquito population, and placing traps to collect and test mosquitoes for disease. Spraying for adult mosquitoes, also known as adulticiding, is only performed when samples test positive for the West Nile virus.
While the pesticide used for mosquito control is an EPA-approved, low-volume concentration that is considered safe for humans and pets, it is suggested that residents remain indoors, bring pets inside, and close windows and doors while spraying is occurring.
So far in 2010, the health department has tested 262 mosquito samples and 41 have been positive for West Nile virus. There has been one probable human case reported in Allen County, one of two in the state.
For more information or to sign up to receive mosquito spraying alerts, visit www.allencountyhealth.com.
West Nile Virus prevention measures
- Check your property for breeding sites. Eliminate any sources of standing water. Clean out gutters and birdbaths. Properly dispose of tires. Maintain swimming pools and hot tubs.
- Limit time spent outdoors during peak mosquito biting times.
- Wear loose, light-colored clothing, pants and long sleeve shirts.
- Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to clothing and exposed skin.