West Nile virus surveillance underway

West Nile virus season has arrived. The North Central District Health Department is once again providing surveillance throughout the nine-county district that includes Antelope, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Pierce and Rock counties.

Mosquito trapping has started in Cherry, Holt and Knox counties. If any West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools are trapped, NCDHD will report them to the public.

The health department will not be collecting corvid birds for West Nile Virus testing this year. Citizens who find a dead bird should use a glove or a plastic sack to discard of the bird. NCDHD will continue tracking call-ins of dead birds if citizens wish to report them.

NCDHD also encourages residents to remember the 4 Ds when they head outside this summer:

• Wear DEET or an EPA-approved bug spray

• Dress in light-colored, loose, long sleeved clothing to keep mosquitos away

• Dump standing water in yards

• Avoid dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active.