West Nile Virus identified in GF mosquito pool

It’s been a quiet summer so far for mosquitoes in Greater Grand Forks – but the pesky bugs are starting make some noise.

Health officials have identified West Nile Virus in a pool of mosquitoes collected today (Thursday).  The mosquito most common for transmitting W-N-V is the Culex Tarsalis variety.

The Health Department’s Todd Hanson says the overall mosquito population remains extremely low.  “The overall percentage of mosquitoes we are collecting in traps are Culex Tarsalis.  We don’t have the floodwater mosquito because it’s so dry.”

Hanson says outside of some targeted spraying in high traffic areas the department has not launched a citywide spray to date.

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To help reduce your risk of getting West Nile virus, the Health Department recommends the following protective measures:

• Use insect repellent that contains DEET.
• Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when possible.
• Eliminate standing water around homes (e.g., buckets, flowerpots, old tires, wading pools and birdbaths).