ADHS cautions residents about West NIle Virus
Web Producer: Ashley Guttuso
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - The Arizona Department of Health Services encourages residents to protect themselves and their families against mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus during the current monsoon season.
"So far, we haven't had any cases of West Nile Virus reported for the 2012 season, but it's always a threat," said Will Humble, ADHS Director.
Humble advises residents to take precautionary steps in preventing the spread of the virus. "Make sure there's no standing water around your house. Simple actions, like tipping over your wheel barrow, can reduce potential mosquito breeding grounds ... Reducing the breeding grounds for
mosquitoes will cut down the number of West Nile we get in the state."
A few possible cases of West Nile are currently being investigated by ADHS, but have not yet been
confirmed. Last year Arizona had the second highest number of cases in the United States with 69. The year before that, the highest in the US with 166 cases.
ADHS advises to protect yourself against this illness by emptying items where water can collect outdoors, make sure screens are tight-fitting on windows and doors, wear lightweight clothing, and use insect repellent.
ADHS expects there to be increased activity throughout the summer and fall which may result in an increase of human cases.
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