KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – As mosquito season begins, the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department will be setting up and monitoring several traps throughout the county to capture and identify those in the area that carry potential disease.
“Mosquito trapping and testing is critical work that must be done to provide Kalamazoo County residents with early detection of vector-borne diseases, as well as information on steps they can take to protect themselves this summer,” said Environmental Health Manager Lucus Pols
The surveillance will take place through September, targeting specific mosquitoes known to spread the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus and the West Nile virus in the process.
Surveillance efforts will also integrate the migration pattern of Zika-carrying mosquitoes through southern Michigan, though there has been no evidence of the associated mosquito in Kalamazoo County.
Health officials say that Kalamazoo County residents can take to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the illnesses they can cause, including:
- Empty and wash all outdoor containers that collect water (small pools, feeding bowls, open rain collection barrels, buckets, birdbaths, etc.) at least once a week.
- Maintain properly treated swimming pools to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
- Keep trash containers properly covered.
- Use and repair screens on home windows.
- Wear tall socks, pants, and long sleeves outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn.
- Use insect repellent with DEET registered by the EPA on the skin and treat clothing with permethrin to repel biting insects. Always follow label directions.
For more information about Kalamazoo County mosquito surveillance, please visit www.kalcounty.com/hcs/eh or call 269-373-5210.
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