West Nile found in three Ruston locations
West Nile Virus has been found in mosquitos in three Ruston locations, two of which are the same as an early discovery in June.
A state testing laboratory notified officials of the discovery Friday. The positive pools were found near Beauregard Court off East Kentucky Avenue; Richardson Street, in the southeastern part of the city; and an area on the north side of the French Quarter subdivision off Cedar Creek Road.
Richardson Street and a part of the French Quarter that’s outside the city limits were the sites of the earlier positive pools. West Nile Virus is spread by the Culex species of mosquito.
Officials suspect birds were the source of the outbreak, Kellie Nestrud, program director for the Vector Disease Control International, the company that provides mosquito abatement for the city.
The disease-carrying mosquitoes were found in damp places where birds likely go looking for water, she said. West Nile Virus is transmitted to birds through the bite of an infected mosquito.
“When we have really hot, dry summers, we tend to see more virus activity,” she said.
That’s partially because water in streams and ditches evaporates, leaving more organic matter in the remaining moisture. Birds go there looking for water, get bitten by mosquitos and virus spreads, Nestrud said.
VDCI will spray the three areas twice this weekend and then take new samplings Monday but won’t know until Friday if West Nile is still present.
To minimize risk of contracting West Nile Virus, VDCI recommends the following: – Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus and follow the instructions on the lable.
– Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when outdoors, particularly during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
– Remove standing water from your surroundings, such as flower pots, birdbaths, discarded tires, or any other containers that can collect water and serve as mosquito breeding grounds.
– Ensure door and windows have tight-fitting screens to prevent mosquitos from entering your home.
