Montana Health Department Warns of West Nile Virus Season
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is warning Montanans to be careful about mosquitoes and West Nile Virus.
"West Nile Virus has typically hit Montana in July and August so we wanted to remind folks to protect themselves against mosquito bites," Epidemiologist Christine Mulgrew said. "This includes wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. Also wearing insect repellent that has deet in it; Keeping in mind that the mosquitoes that transmit, mostly come out between dusk and dawn."
Mulgrew said mosquitoes with West Nile Virus in Montana haven’t yet gone west of the continental divide.
"West Nile Virus hit Montana in 2002. In the last five years, we've had an average of about 10 cases that are reported to us every year," Mulgrew said. "The misquotes themselves are found throughout Montana, but the ones that carry West Nile have typically been located in the eastern area of Montana."
Standing water is a frequent haunt for mosquitoes and Mulgrew said one of the best ways to get rid of the pests is to make sure they don’t have pools and ponds to breed in.