
Media Release
June 14, 2006
Media Contacts:
Rosann Doran
Public Information Officer
303.438.6308
Hot weather + moisture = Mosquitoes
It’s summer, and the recent hot weather means that the West Nile Virus season is here, and mosquitoes are the culprit.
There is no way to forecast whether this year’s will be a severe or mild season for West Nile Virus, so Broomfield Health and Human Services (HHS) is advising residents to take precautions, just in case.
While it’s impossible to eliminate all mosquitoes, some ways to help reduce their numbers and the potential for incidents of West Nile Virus are:
Repair torn screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering the home.
Keep grass cut short. Mosquitoes nestle in the grass to stay cool.
When enjoying the outdoors, remember to practice the Four D’s:
1. Drain standing water. Rain gutters, unused flower pots, buckets and used tires are places where mosquitoes lay eggs. By simply turning these items over and cleaning out rain gutters, the numbers of mosquitoes in the area will be significantly reduced.
2. Dusk and Dawn are when mosquitoes that carry the virus are the most active, so limit outdoor activities during these times.
3. Apply insect repellents containing DEET to reduce mosquito bites. For children over two months, the product should not exceed 30 percent DEET. DEET is not recommended for children under two months of age.
4. Dress in long sleeve shirts and long pants while outdoors in the early morning and evening hours.
Departments within the City and County of Broomfield have again joined forces to respond to citizen questions and concerns about West Nile Virus. Broomfield has a contract with Colorado Mosquito Control (CMC) to respond to mosquito complaints. CMC also sets traps, and handles larvacide and spraying activities, and submits mosquitoes to the state health department for virus testing. CMC’s decisions to spray within the community are based on mosquito trap counts as the season progresses.
Harbingers of West Nile Virus are birds of the Corvid family that often die from the virus. Corvids include ravens, crows, magpies, Clark’s nutcracker, and jays, including Playon Jay, Western Scrub Jay, Gray Jay, Steller’s Jay and Blue Jay.
Residents may find the dead birds in their yards, so HHS urges precautions when dealing with the dead birds. If you observe a dead bird – do not pick it up with a bare hand. Contact the Broomfield Public Health Division at 720-887-2220, or Broomfield Animal Control 303.438.6400. These responders will determine whether the bird should be tested by a state laboratory, or whether the bird can be disposed of in household trash.
If a dead bird can be disposed of in household trash, proper disposal is to use a shovel and scoop the bird into a plastic bag. Another method is to place your hand inside a plastic bag, pick up the bird with the bagged hand, and then immediately slide the bag off your hand and around the bird so the bird is enclosed in the plastic bag.
Animal Control will dispose of any dead bird that is in the Corvid family. If Broomfield area West Nile Virus cases are reported, in humans, to the state health department, HHS will conduct case-by-case investigations. Broomfield’s Public Health Division will conduct surveillance of the disease in horses, mosquitoes, birds and humans.
As in previous summers, this illness can be serious. Symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, and body aches that can last from several days to several weeks. Severe symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, tremors and convulsions. The illness can affect anyone at any age, but persons over the age of 50 seem to be affected more severely from the disease.
Now is the time to begin following these measures. Residents are urged to continue following them through September. Following these precautions will ensure that everyone can enjoy summertime activities and remain safe from this serious illness.
For more information visit: www.fightthebitecolorado.com