The monsoon may be on its way out, but left in its wake are millions of creatures that are not only a nuisance but can also be deadly.

“Mosquitoes can be found throughout Yavapai County and the more we do to prevent the breeding the more likely we are to prevent transmission of serious diseases by mosquitoes,” said Stephen Tullos, director of Yavapai County Community Health Services.

YCCHS Environmental Health professionals monitor several areas throughout Yavapai County regularly during the summer months looking for and testing mosquitoes for West Nile Virus.
“When we find West Nile, we notify local government officials and National Park Service staff that there is a mosquito problem in their area. It is up to them to mitigate the situation,” YCCHS Environmental Health Section Manager Cecil Newell said. “We are here to help in any way we can.”

Experts say it’s important to examine your home and neighborhood and take the following precautions:

• Dispose of unwanted tin cans and tires.
• Clean clogged roof gutters and drain flat roofs.
• Stock ornamental pools with fish.
• Change water in birdbaths, fountains and troughs twice a week.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools; when not regularly used, they should be emptied.
• Turn over unused wading pools and other containers that tend to collect rainwater.
• Cover containers tightly with window screen or plastic when storing rainwater for garden use during drought periods.
• Ensure evaporative runoff is not creating puddles.
• Avoid excessive irrigation.

Newell and Tullos said that among many others, malaria, dengue, Zika and the most common West Nile virus, can spread to humans and animals through bites from mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. The incubation period for people infected with WNV is three to 14 days with symptoms lasting three to six days. Most people infected with West Nile Virus will feel no symptoms. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20 percent will feel mild, flu-like symptoms that may include fever, headache, body aces, swollen glands and muscle weakness.

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain or conjunctivitis [red eyes]. Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache.

“There is an increased risk of mosquito population growth during monsoon season,” Sedona City Engineer Andy Dickey said. “This is due to the increased precipitation at this time. The city of Sedona recommends taking appropriate precautions during this time.”

A small percentage of people infected with West Nile Virus will experience severe symptoms, the CDC reports. Usually, but not always, it hits the very young, elderly and those with compromised immune systems the hardest. It is important to remember that there are measures each person can take to prevent infection:

• Eliminate mosquito-breeding sites around your home or business by removing standing water in potted plants and other containers.
• When standing water can’t be drained or dumped, use safe mosquito larvicides such as mosquito dunks, which are commonly available at feed stores and garden centers.
• Repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of the home.
• Avoid outdoor exposure between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, but keep in mind some mosquito species are daytime biters.
• When outdoors, wear long sleeves and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.
• When outdoors, wear a mosquito repellent containing DEET. All strengths of DEET will repel mosquitoes, but higher concentrations will last longer.