West Nile Virus Present In Area Mosquitoes

Tulsa's mosquito problem could turn into a West Nile virus problem though no confirmed cases have been reported yet in Tulsa County. It's not just your imagination, there are more mosquitoes than

Wednesday, August 8th 2007, 10:10 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's mosquito problem could turn into a West Nile virus problem though no confirmed cases have been reported yet in Tulsa County. It's not just your imagination, there are more mosquitoes than usual this year, because of all the rain we've had. The News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports some of those mosquitoes are carrying the West Nile virus and likely passing it on to the people they bite.

John Bakerâ€™s job is to attract, trap and test mosquitoes for West Nile virus. To do that, he's concocted a recipe of pond water and manure that brings in the really juicy ones.

"Only the females are the ones that bite, so when they come in to lay their eggs, they'll get sucked up into this bag,â€ Baker said.

He's collected 13,000 mosquitoes this summer and found ones with West Nile only around downtown. People are likely getting it, but so far it's not been confirmed, because most people with symptoms are never actually tested for the virus.

"So many people have it. They never even know they had it because their immune systems fight it off just like they would the flu,â€ said Baker.

Baker says the best way to prevent being infected is to protect yourself against mosquitoes and try to eliminate them.

When it comes to mosquito breeding places, it's not this kind of spot that you have to worry about. Mosquitoes prefer small stagnant pools of water, the kind left behind after all that rain we had early in the summer.

â€œThe southern house mosquito likes the stagnant water,â€ Baker said.

The health department tests the mosquitoes so they'll know when the virus arrives each summer and can step up spraying in those areas.

They're getting more reports of mosquitoes and finding more in the 50 traps they have throughout the county.

â€œAs soon as we find an area that does have positive mosquitoes in it, we'll be able to spray those areas in pretty short order,â€ said Baker.

The health department recommends people get rid of any standing water around their homes, use repellent and cover skin whenever possible.

Watch the video: Recent Flood To Blame For Return Of West Nile

Related Stories:

7/19/2007 West Nile Virus Case Confirmed

7/24/2007 Misting System Keeps The Mosquitoes Away

8/1/2007 West Nile Virus Returns