Is Zika virus threatening the Antelope Valley?

LANCASTER – Zika virus is making headlines throughout the country, but is it a concern in the Antelope Valley?

The Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District reports that there is currently no evidence of mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus anywhere in California, and the mosquito species that transmits the virus has not been detected in the AV.

“Our current temperatures in the Antelope Valley are too low to see any kind of mosquito activity,” stated District Manager Cei Kratz. “And even though we’ve been setting traps in the past couple of years for this particular mosquito (Aedes aegypti), we have not found it in the Antelope Valley, yet.”

Although district officials are not seeing any mosquito activity, they say it is always a good idea to follow these guidelines to prevent mosquitoes:

• Check your property for any standing water from sprinklers or rain;
• Keep screen doors and windows in good repair and close them;
• Remember the 3 D’s (drain/dump standing water, dusk & dawn are when mosquitoes are most active, defend yourself using insect repellents such as DEET).

To stay up-to-date on mosquito-related activity in the Antelope Valley, visit www.avmosquito.org or https://www.facebook.com/avmosquito.

For further questions or services, contact the Antelope Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District at 661-942-2917.

[Information via news release from the Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.]

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L.A. County health officials warn travelers of Zika virus

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