Ask Mr. Answer Person: "What is the "mosquito forecast" for this summer?"

Rich sends in a question for Mr. Answer Person:

With all the rain that we have had during the last month, what is the "mosquito forecast" for this summer?   Is West Nile disease a threat this year?  Will the new pond on the west side of the Fifth Avenue Bridge become a breeding spot for mosquitoes?  Have there been steps taken to prevent mosquito breeding in this location?  What are our health authorities saying about this year and the presumed onslaught of mosquitoes?

The State Health Department recently issued this statement: "Recent rains across Iowa causing stagnant and pooling water in many areas has raised concerns about growing mosquito populations and the diseases they carry, including West Nile virus.  While West Nile and other mosquito-related diseases are most prevalent in late summer and early fall, it is important to take action now to help control mosquito populations.  While the risk of West Nile virus is similar across age groups, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates older age individuals are at a higher risk for development of more serious central nervous system disease."

Since West Nile first appeared in Iowa in 2002, it has been found in every county in Iowa, either in humans, horses, or birds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 720 total human cases of West Nile virus in the U.S. in 2009, including 32 deaths. There were five cases of West Nile virus in Iowa in 2009, but no deaths.  One death was reported in Iowa in 2008.

State health officials have some advice on how to prevent mosquito bites:

--Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children. For example, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old.
 
--The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many species of mosquitoes.  Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning hours. This is especially important to remember as families are enjoying fireworks in the evening over the Independence Day holiday weekend.

--Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes, and socks whenever possible outdoors.
 
--Eliminate standing water around the home because that's where mosquitoes lay eggs.  Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers and pet water dishes.  Change water in bird baths every three to four days. 

Finally, in regard to your questions about the new pond on the west side of the Fifth Avenue Bridge, yes this probably will be a breeding spot for mosquitoes, but the location was chosen because Winneshiek County had to create a new wetland to replace ones that were eliminated by construction projects.  In other words, there's a new mosquito breeding pond in one location, but it replaces two others no longer exist.