Several States Confirm West Nile Virus in Mosquito Samples

In recent weeks, mosquitoes with West Nile virus have been discovered in samples taken from states in a variety of locations throughout the U.S.

July 7, 2021

Posted by Madisyn Woodring

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes with West Nile virus have been discovered in samples taken from states in a variety of locations throughout the U.S.

Here’s a look at recent activity from various media outlets.

Massachusetts. According to a statement from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, WNV was confirmed June 2 in a mosquito sample collected on June 29 in Medford. The Associated Press reported that no human or animal cases of West Nile or eastern equine encephalitis have been detected in the state yet this year and there is no elevated risk level or risk-level change associated with the finding. Source: Associated Press

Texas. WNV was detected in a construction site in Sugar Land which is just west of Houston. At least one of the mosquitoes captured so far have tested positive. City officials in Sugar Land said mosquitoes will be sprayed twice a week as a result of these findings. Source: Newsweek

California. The Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District announced there were positive WNV samples from the cities of Anderson and Shingletown on July 3. So far, no person in California has been infected. Ground treatments will be done where the positive samples were found in order to lower the mosquito populations and mosquito surveillance will be continued. Source: KRCR-TV

Utah/Idaho. The first WNV case was found in Bear Lake Country, Idaho, which borders Utah according to the Southeastern Idaho Public Health officials. This is the first positive pool detected from the other eight surrounding counties this year. No confirmed human infections have been reported as of June 15. Source: ABC4.

Washington. For the first time in 2021, WNV was detected in the state of Washington in Walla Walla county. No people in the state have contracted the virus this year, however, last year two Washington residents were infected. Source: MyNorthwest

*Reprinted from Pest Control Technology Publication.

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