The Pinal County Public Health Services District during routine mosquito surveillance recently detected the first West Nile Virus positive mosquitoes in the county this season.

Mosquito surveillance data is used to help determine the risk of mosquito-borne disease to Pinal County residents and visitors, and it guides the health district’s disease-prevention efforts, according to a release.

West Nile Virus, a disease spread through the bite of certain mosquitoes, is now common in Arizona. Pinal County’s mosquito surveillance program specifically looks for mosquitoes that potentially spread disease to people in the community.

Not everyone who gets mosquito-borne diseases has symptoms, but for those who do, some may experience lasting or permanent effects, and in the worst cases, the diseases can be fatal. The Pinal County Public Health Services District would like to remind everyone of the prevention efforts that all can take to help prevent mosquito-borne disease such as WNV.

“With our monsoon season finally producing some significant rain, it is important that we are all vigilant to prevent mosquito breeding on our property,” Chris Reimus, who manages the county’s vector control program, said in the release.

To help prevent mosquitoes and mosquito bites:

• If you have a swimming pool, keep it operational. If you must keep it out of use, make sure you remove the standing water, keep it chlorinated, or run the filter daily.
• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Check for items outside the home that collect water, such as cans, bottles, jars, buckets, old tires, drums, and other containers, and get rid of them.
• Change water in flower vases, birdbaths, planters, troughs, and animal watering pans at least twice a week. Be sure to scrub them out when changing water.
• Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets, and move air-conditioner drain hoses frequently to prevent standing water.
• Even spending a short time outdoors can be long enough to be bitten by a mosquito. Take extra care to use insect repellent and protective clothing. When outdoors, use an EPA-registered and CDC-approved insect repellent.
• Keep mosquitoes outside by having well-fitting screens on both windows and doors.

Pinal County investigates complaints related to disease-causing mosquitoes, such as permanent standing water, green pools or other reports of mosquito activity. If you would like information on mosquito prevention and control, or to file a complaint, go to the Pinal County Environmental Health Services webpage at pinal.gov/ehs or call 866-287-0209.