Black Hawk County Public Health is warning about increased West Nile Virus in the county. Mosquito monitoring found increased levels of the virus in adult mosquitoes. While an increase in levels is common at this time of year, it also raises the risk to humans. They suggest residents reduce the risk of mosquito bites by using EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and using air conditioning or making sure doors and windows have screens that are properly secured. Mosquitoes lay eggs in water and so the public health department has suggested ways to prevent that within the home. Remove or empty containers that hold water including old tires, change the water in bird baths and wading pools at least once a week, clean rain gutters and downspouts, and cover rain barrels and pools that do not have chlorine.
