The Lancaster County Health Department says mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus in city of Lincoln, which can indicate increased transmission of the virus in the community.
No human cases of WNV have been reported in Lancaster County so far this season. WNV is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. The Health Department has some precautions to avoid mosquito bites:
- Limit time outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active – usually a half hour before sunrise to about one hour after sunrise and a half hour before sunset to about two hours afterwards.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes and socks when outside.
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent when spending time outside such as those with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane diol, or 2-undecanone – https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents
Residents can also reduce mosquito breeding areas around their homes by dumping small wading pools each day and maintain swimming pools properly. The health department also recommends changing water in birdbaths weekly and pet bowls daily, store tires, buckets and containers where they can’t collect water and maintain garden ponds and fountains and always keep water flowing.
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