A sample of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile Virus in Prince William County earlier this month, according to officials.
The mosquitoes were collected at the Belmont Pump Station in Woodbridge July 9 and represent the first reported activity of the virus in the county in 2013.
According to the Prince William Health District (PWHD), an intensive treatment was performed on the affected area to kill all adult mosquito's and breeding larvae.
“Since most of the mosquito species that residents need to control breed in standing water within a few hundred feet of their homes, control measures around the home are the most effective way to prevent mosquito breeding and to reduce the risk from bites, “ PWHD Director Dr. Alison Ansher said.
The PWHD recommends the following tips to reduce exposure to mosquitoes:
- Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing.
- Use insect repellent products with no more than 50 percent DEET for adults and less than 10 percent for children. Follow label instructions when using insect repellents.
- Turn over or remove containers in your yard where any water may collect, such as old tires, potted plant trays, buckets, and toys.
- Eliminate any standing water in yards or on tarps or flat roofs.
- Chlorinate or clean out birdbaths and wading pools every three to five days.
- Clean roof gutters and downspout screens regularly. Mosquitoes breed and feed in standing water in roof gutters.
