By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

With an increased transmission of the West Nile virus to humans reported, residents are encouraged to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County advised residents earlier this month of an increase in mosquito- borne disease activity in areas of Lee County, one of which is Lehigh Acres. This was detected through several sentinel chicken flocks which tested positive for the virus infection.

The advisory stated that “the risk of transmission to humans has increased.”

Lee County Mosquito Control spokesperson Eric Jackson said the advisory reminds people that this is the time of year that West Nile and other viruses are more prevalent as waters have a chance to build up.

“This is when they are most active,” he said of the insects, adding that now through September are peak months for the West Nile virus.

Jackson said they have sentinel chickens, and birds, located throughout the county from which they take blood samples to see if they are carrying any diseases.

“We are seeing more and more birds that are testing positive for antibodies,” he said.

Jackson encourages everyone to wear bug repellents and long, loose fitting clothing when out at night to prevent the bites from happening.

To help battle the mosquitoes biologist Durrell Hagood said the district is putting more of an emphasis on the aerial larval sitting program. Lehigh residents can expect to see more helicopter actively treating the wet areas where larvae are likely present.

Hagood said they have two dedicated larval site inspectors in Lehigh responding to the data collected by driving around in spray trucks through the neighborhoods, focusing on larvae in retention ponds and ditches. When the inspectors locate the larvae they will treat the area, so the mosquitoes do not hatch.

“If we find an area really breeding heavy, (I will send) five or six of my guys and move them all into the Lehigh area until we get it under control,” Hagood said. “All the information gathered in the field goes into the computer to see what the activity levels are and what the results are of our treatments.”

With all of the data collected, the district has quite a bit of research taking place with cutting-edge technology. It is important to do the research while making sure their materials are functioning they way they should, Hagood said.

Mosquitoes do well in Southwest Florida because of warm temperatures, water and flat topography.

“We have mosquitoes that are year round,” Jackson said. “They are heavier in the spring and into the summer and fall. When you look at the topography of the area there are lots of places for water to sit. In the eastern part of the county it just sits there. Stagnant water is a perfect place for mosquitoes to grow.”

Jackson said they are the largest single county district in the entire country.

“In this part of the United States we have the capability of growing more mosquitoes than anywhere else (because it’s) wet, warm and flat,” he said.

The Lee County Mosquito Control District provides daily updates on Facebook and Twitter, as well as its website, www.lcmcd.com, as to sites they are treating, including a map.