LOTS OF RAIN, LIKE NEW MEXICO'S BEEN GETTING THIS MONSOON SEASON, IS A DEFINITE DRAW FOR MOSQUITOS. STATE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIAN DR. PAUL ETTESTAD TELLS THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL IT COULD MEAN A RISE IN WEST NILE VIRUS CASES AROUND NEW MEXICO.
ALBUQUERQUE CITY OFFICIALS WHO COLLECT MOSQUITOS EVERY WEEK TO CHECK FOR WEST NILE VIRUS SAY THEY DID FIND THE VIRUS IN MOSQUITOS THEY COLLECTED LAST MONTH. THE MOSQUITO SEASON IN NEW MEXICO STARTS IN JULY AND ENDS IN OCTOBER.
LAST YEAR, THE STATE CONFIRMED 38 HUMAN CASES OF WEST NILE VIRUS. YOU'RE ADVISED TO MAKE SURE YOU DISCARD WATER FROM FLOWER POTS AND OTHER CONTAINERS IN YOUR YARD … USE AN INSECT REPELLENT THAT CONTAINS DEET WHEN YOU'RE OUTSIDE … AND CLOSE ANY DOORS OR WINDOWS IN YOUR HOUSE THAT HAVE RIPPED SCREENS.
