GRAND FORKS — As summer reaches its final months, the mosquito population in Grand Forks is low.
“The number of traps has been very low,” said Todd Hanson, Grand Forks public fitness mosquito officer.
So far, the number of traps peaked on July 7 with a total of 16, according to the Grand Forks mosquito control website. .
Even with the small number of populations, there is another concern: the rate of West Nile virus in mosquitoes. Since West Nile virus first appeared in Grand Forks in 2002, this is only the fourth year it is known as early June, Hanson said. Mosquito Control tests swimming pools, teams of 50 mosquitoes, to detect the virus.
“We’re seeing some West Nile virus activity,” Hanson said. “Last Thursday we did 3 groups. Two of them positive for West Nile.
On July 31, the group they tested tested negative, according to Hanson. However, this increased West Nile prevalence occurs as Grand Forks approaches the time of year when West Nile virus activity peaks.
One way to combat West Nile is to particularly decrease the mosquito population, Hanson said. To do this, Mosquito Control carries out a series of preventive measures that treat the population.
The visual maxim is fumigation, which Mosquito Control calls adulticide, but fumigation is a fraction of the population’s relief effort. Hanson favors larvicidal measures, which are preventive.
“We’ve mapped over 1200 sites in Grand Forks City, and then we walked the first few miles and located the mosquitoes that would migrate,” Hanson said. “That’s the most important component of our program, the larvicide program. “
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, such as that found in roadside ditches, bird baths, and cattle feeders. Hanson says his team tries to reduce the size of the site where they can, but that’s not possible, even if it’s effective.
“Every time you can find a site, you’re further ahead,” he said. “Much of our mosquito production comes from road ditches and retention ponds that we have. There are many low-lying areas. Especially on the outskirts of the city.
Although the mosquito population is low so far this year, Hanson says it’s vital that other people take precautionary measures to avoid infection.
Encourage others to wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants, use insect repellent, especially insect repellent containing DEET, and monitor the state of the water on your property, making sure to turn it over with new water at least once a week if they can.
If inflamed with West Nile virus, Hanson says most people will feast on flu-like symptoms, stiff neck, headaches and rashes all over the body. In severe cases, there will be a high fever and a very bad headache.
Only 20 percent of those who are inflamed will have severe symptoms, according to Hanson. If you report severe symptoms, Hanson recommends seeing a physical care provider directly, as severe symptoms can lead to meningitis or encephalitis, which can be life-threatening.
The mosquito branch will have no way of knowing how much West Nile activity has occurred this year until, at the earliest, after August.