Iowa and other Midwestern states are reporting very high levels of West Nile virus (WNV) this month. Data is generated from ongoing mosquito surveillance efforts coordinated by Dr. Ryan Smith at Iowa State University. This week had the highest observed WNV activity at this point in the summer observed in over 20 years. This trend is of serious concern for the next 8 weeks when WNV transmission risks are the highest.
You can minimize the risk of infection with the following tactics:
- When practical, avoid time outdoors in the evenings when Culex mosquitoes are most active.
- If you are outside, wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Use repellents, like DEET or Picaridin; consider treating clothing and shoes with permethrin.
- Exclude accidental invasions into homes or other structures by using screens on windows and doors (repair holes!).
- Eliminate standing water (e.g., tires, buckets, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, trash containers, etc.).
For more information:
West Nile Virus: https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/providers-professionals/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/epi-manual/reportable-diseases/west-nile-virus
CDC (Centers for Disease Control) data and maps: https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/data-maps/index.html
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