SUFFOLK, Va. - The West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus have been detected in mosquitoes in several neighborhoods, according to the Suffolk Public Works Mosquito Control.
Officials found the West Nile Virus and EEEV in a mosquito pool in the Lake Kennedy area.
EEEV was also detected in the Lamb Avenue neighborhood, Portsmouth Boulevard Commuter Lot, Burnett's Mill, Rivercliff, Dayle Acres, and the Pughsville areas of Suffolk.
"It's very scary, because we have kids that play around here and ride their bikes and that's creepy," says Latoya Lawrence, who lives in the Lake Kennedy neighborhood with her family.
The Virginia Department of Health has also identified an EEEV positive horse in western Suffolk, close to the Isle of Wight County border.
Mosquito Control officials say they put surveillance traps out in Suffolk neighborhoods in the afternoons Monday-Thursday and pick them up in the morning. From there, they identify the species collected and pool them by their specific concerns.
The type of mosquitoes that were found with EEEV rarely bite humans, but health officials suggest people be aware of the activity in order to take actions to protect themselves.
Mosquito Control urges horse owners to vaccinate their horses for EEEV, and any other insect transmitted diseases.
Suffolk Mosquito Control is intensifying their efforts in these areas as a result of these findings, including increasing mosquito surveillance, treatment of standing water, and evening spray applications for adult mosquitoes.
You can greatly decrease your chances of contracting EEEV and West Nile Virus (WNV) by protecting yourself from excessive mosquito bites while outdoors by following these recommendations:
- Remain indoors during times of greatest mosquito activity.
- (1 hour before dusk to 1 hour before dawn)
- Wear loose, long, and light-colored clothing when outdoors.
- Use insect repellants containing DEET according to the label instructions.
You can help by eliminating mosquito-breeding areas around your home and neighborhood by following these steps:
- Empty water-holding containers:
- buckets, drums, bottles, tin cans, wheel barrows, potted plant trays, etc.
- Properly dispose of used tires.
- Clear roof gutters, downspouts and corrugated black drainpipes for any water collection.
- Clean wading and swimming pools.
- Drain water from tarps.
- Place Mosquito Dunks in stagnant water areas around your home which include ditches and low lying areas
Suffolk citizens can get free mosquito dunks from local Suffolk Fire and Rescue Stations 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, Mosquito Control Office, Media & Community Relations Office in City Hall, East Suffolk and Whaleyville Recreation Centers, Morgan Memorial Library, Chuckatuck Library, and North Suffolk Library.
