Avoid mosquito bites by following these helpful tips

Sheyanne N Romero
Visalia Times-Delta
The Aedes Aegypti - this is the "Invasive" species that is spreading throughout the San Joaquin Valley and has been established in Southern California.

Delta Vector Control District officials recently found St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus in mosquitoes locally.

Tulare County Health and Human Services and Delta Vector staff are asking residents to avoid mosquito bites. 

"It is imperative that residents take the necessary precautions to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes and report any incidence of mosquito presence," health officials stated.

Residents should be on the lookout for any "potential breeding grounds" around their home. Any container with as little as a few inches of water standing for more than three days makes for a good mosquito breeding source, health officials said.

These three illnesses that can occur after being bitten by a mosquito:

  • West Nile Virus (WNV) – Although most individuals will experience no effects from west nile, symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes, while more severe symptoms include disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, and paralysis. 
  • St. Louis Encephalitis Virus – SLEV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, and most people have no symptoms or only mild, flu-like illness. However, especially in the elderly, SLEV can cause serious illness that affects the central nervous system.
  • Zika Virus – Zika is a public health concern to individuals, especially pregnant women, traveling to areas where the virus is prevalent. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito or through unprotected sex with an infected partner. The biggest concern with the virus is that it can have detrimental effects on a pregnant woman’s developing baby.

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, Tulare County residents are strongly urged to:

  • Report mosquito presence by calling the Delta Vector Control District at 1-877-732-8606 or by reporting online at www.DeltaVCD.com, or on its Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts.
  • Apply insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 according to label.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants if outside in the early morning and evening.
  • Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.
  • Repair or replace screens that have holes.
  • Eliminate standing water and containers that can hold water from around the home.