Community Corner

Mosquito Trapping for West Nile Virus Monitoring Underway

Here's what you can do to lessen your chances of mosquito bites this summer as well.

 

Residents may soon see mosquito traps in public places around the city and nearby county areas.

The Fairfax County Health Department has begun trapping mosquitoes as part of routine surveillance for West Nile Virus.

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The traps will be set up at dozens of locations around Fairfax — mostly on public property, including parks and schools.

Officials ask, please do not touch or tamper with them.

Find out what's happening in Greater Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Traps are clearly marked with the words "mosquito trap" and have health depart- ment contact information on them.

What you need to know about mosquitos

Mosquitoes breed in standing water — as little as a teaspoon-full — so check places where water collects, officials said this week.

"Think of areas that were icy during the winter or that remain wet and puddled in warm weather — such as old tires, potted plant trays and buckets — and “tip and toss,” or remove these mosquito-friendly containers," officials suggested in a statement.

Officials also suggested eliminating standing water on tarps and cleaning out birdbaths and wading pools weekly, and cleaning out roof gutters and downspout screens so water will not pool.

West Nile virus is spread to birds, humans and other mammals through the bite of an infected mosquito. However, most people bitten by infected mosquitoes do not get sick.

For information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fightthebite or call 703-246-8931.


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