West Nile Virus In Mesa County

According to the AP health officials across Colorado are urging residents to be cautious outdoors after the West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes in several different Counties.

Boulder Country is the latest to be effected by the virus carrying insects. Mesa & Larimer Counties were the first to have mosquito pools test positive.

And the Mesa County Health Department wants to help you fight that BITE with these easy tips to keep you safe:

DRAIN standing water around the house weekly. This is where mosquitoes lay eggs, including: tires, cans, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, toys and puddles. If standing water can' be removed you can treat it with Larvicide which can be purchased at garden, home, feed and/or supply stores.
DUSK & DAWN are when mosquitoes that carry the virus are most active, so limit outdoor activities or take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
DEET is an effective ingredient to look for in insect repellents. Always follow label instructions carefully. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states the most effective insect repellents contain one of the following ingredients
- DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)
- Picaridin (KBR 3023)
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)
DRESS in long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk or in areas where mosquitoes are active.

To see if you are in the boundaries of the Grand River Mosquito Control District, please access http://grmcd.net/ or call (970) 257-0191.