Fish & Game, state agencies prepare for West Nile Virus

JEROME - Nobody likes being bitten by a mosquito. This summer, residents in Idaho are likely to have another reason to avoid them, West Nile Virus. This is a new disease to North America that can be passed onto people, horses, birds and other wildlife through a mosquito bite. Most people exposed to the virus will not get sick or will only experience mild flu-like symptoms. On rare occasions people can die from serious complications connected to the virus. While only a fraction of the mosquito population carries the virus, Idaho Fish and Game is treating the threat of West Nile Virus seriously. Wildlife Management Area (WMA) managers, fish hatchery workers and other state agencies (Idaho Department of Agriculture, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Idaho State Parks and Recreation) are working to control and prepare for this mosquito carried virus. Some of the steps they are taking, include; alerting visitors to the risk, identify possible problem areas, and to rid areas of incidental mosquito breeding spots. Mosquitoes thrive where it's wet, but can only breed in standing or stagnant water. It only takes seven days for a mosquito to reproduce. The key to reducing mosquito populations is to eliminate as many stagnant water sources as possible. Hatchery and WMA managers complete a bi-weekly checklist to reduce incidental mosquito breeding spots and to monitor for the virus. They include: - Checking facilities - Check rain gutters, flat roof tops, all outdoor garbage containers, cooling equipment and equipment washing areas for standing water. - Check surrounding areas - Drain old tires, truck beds and buckets on front-end loaders, fix leaks in irrigation equipment, clear drains and empty unused water troughs. - Parking areas and roads - Repair potholes, trim grasses and place information West Nile virus signs in areas people frequent. - Drain and maintain inactive raceways, off-line settling ponds, backwaters, irrigation return and water source springs. - Document seasonal variations, abnormal storm events, flooding or any dead birds. Habitat managers are preparing for the day when they may need to respond to mosquitoes as a public health threat. The challenge is to balance mosquito control with wildlife management. Mosquitoes are part of the wildlife food chain. Managers want to avoid using pesticides because they indiscriminately kill other beneficial insects. One of the most effective mosquitoes control actions currently being used on WMAs is to identify and map mosquito-breeding hotspots for future treatment. The West Nile Virus has already made it to the Hagerman Valley through imported alligators. Officials do not know to what extent the virus has spread or if it was contained to just the alligator farm. This spring, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will be trapping mosquitoes at several locations around the state. Trapped mosquitoes will be tested for the virus. State agencies are also monitoring local bird populations. Dead magpies, ravens, crows, jays and raptors are frequently an early warning sign that mosquitoes in the area are carrying West Nile Virus. People should report these dead birds to the District Health Department or local Fish and Game. If testing of a dead bird is required, people will be asked to place the bird in a double-wrapped plastic bag and store it in a cool place. Always wear latex or rubber gloves when handling any dead animal. When the West Nile Virus is located in Idaho, the Fish and Game, State Parks, and the District Health Department will then begin control programs. State Parks and Fish and Game will concentrate their control efforts on lands they manage, with the Health Department monitoring all the activities. One of the control methods the Fish and Game will be using is a BTI pellet. This is a biological control agent that kills mosquito and black fly larvae by shutting down the insect's digestive track. The pellet can only be used in stagnate water. WMA and fish hatchery managers have already identified mosquito-breeding hotspots; these areas will be treated first. Fogging to kill mosquitoes is also an option, but great care will need to be used to not kill beneficial insects. Once West Nile is here, it will always be part of the ecosystem. People who like to spend time outdoors will need to continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites. For more information, go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ or call 324-4359. Avoid mosquito bites The best thing people can do to protect themselves is to avoid mosquito bites. Next time you head outdoors think about following these steps. 1. Apply insect repellent containing DEET. The more DEET a repellent contains, the longer it will protect you from mosquito bites. However, DEET concentrations higher than 50 percent do not increase the length of protection. 2. Be careful in applying insect repellent to children. Don't put repellent on their hands and avoid their mouths and eyes. It's best to use products with 10 percent DEET or less for children between the ages of 2 and 12. 3. Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors. 4. Spray clothing with repellents containing DEET or permethrin because mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. 5. Consider staying indoors between dusk and dawn, which is peak mosquito biting time. Avoid going where mosquitoes are plentiful. 6. Fix or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of buildings. For more information on safe use of insect repellants, visit http://www.cdc.gov/westnile For more information on DEET and other pesticides, visit http://www.epa.gov/pesticides or http://npic.orst.edu