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Mosquito Control ramps up spraying after West Nile Virus is discovered in Beach neighborhoods

Posted at 5:34 PM, Aug 07, 2014
and last updated 2014-08-08 17:18:02-04

Virginia Beach, Va. (WTKR) - Folks in Virginia Beach are being advised to take extra precautions after mosquito tests turned up positive results for the West Nile Virus.

Officials say there have been five positive mosquito tests over the last three weeks. These were discovered at the Mosquito control Biology Lab.

The areas affected include the area near Redwing Park, the Thalia subdivision, Kings Grant, Windsor Woods near Mt. Trashmore and on Old Dam Neck Road in Ocean Lakes.

West Nile virus can lead to illness in humans, but less than 1% of those who get it develop serious problems.

Officials say this is not an unusually high number of positive cases, but this does indicate increasing disease activity.

Mosquito control has now increased spraying in the areas affected.

Crews have already treated the first two areas and will be spraying the others tonight or as the weather permits.

"We are moving out to the perimeter areas around those sites and then we will continue on to other sites in Virginia Beach where we know there are a little bit higher concentrations," Mosquito Control Superintendent Phil Meekins told NewsChannel 3's Todd Corillo Friday.

If you live in any of these areas or spend a lot of time outdoors, you should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites including minimizing outdoor activity around dusk, wear long, loose, light colored clothing, use insect repellent,  and get rid of standing water.