West Nile Virus has been detected in a pool of locally sampled mosquitoes from the Matheson Wetlands, according to the Moab Mosquito Abatement District.
The positive test result puts Moab in a period of increased risk for West Nile transmission, though the overall probability remains fairly low due to reduced mosquito numbers and seasonal activity decline, according to district officials.
Residents are advised to take basic precautions to prevent mosquito bites through the remainder of September, especially vulnerable populations including people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems.
Health officials recommend wearing long sleeves and repellent during evening outdoor activities, when mosquito activity is highest.
District Response
The Moab MAD has increased mosquito surveillance and disease testing throughout Moab and surrounding areas extending south to the San Juan County border.
District crews conducted limited backpack-based barrier spraying on private lands bordering the Matheson Wetlands area where the positive mosquito pool was detected. The spraying reduces adult mosquito numbers and creates repellent properties to reduce mosquitoes flying from wetlands into populated areas.
Technicians are conducting additional larval site inspections and treating mosquito breeding habitats with higher levels of residual biorational-larvicides that last longer than conventional biological mosquito control products.
Because positive mosquitoes have not been detected in populated areas with road access, no truck-based spraying is currently planned, though that could change quickly if West Nile positive mosquitoes are found in new locations.
Any scheduled truck-based spraying or fogging will be announced at least 48 hours in advance through local news outlets, Southeast Utah Health and Utah Department of Health and Human Services social media, and posted on the district website at moabmad.org.
How Residents Can Help
The district recommends residents drain and invert outdoor items capable of holding standing water, including buckets, children’s toys, small boats, and other containers.
During yard inspections for invasive Yellow Fever mosquitoes, the district found that close to 95% of Moab yards contain some potential mosquito breeding habitat.
Property owners with irrigation water rights should be mindful that anywhere water stands for seven days or longer could lead to more mosquitoes in the community.
Yard decorations that can’t be easily emptied, such as bird baths, should be thoroughly sprayed out weekly to keep water fresh or treated with mosquito dunks available at hardware stores or from Moab MAD.
Residents should contact the district at 435-259-7161 or info@moabmad.org to report high mosquito numbers or suspected mosquito habitat.
The chance of West Nile transmission is expected to decrease in coming weeks as nighttime temperatures cool.
For more information, visit moabmad.org or contact the Moab Mosquito Abatement District at 435-259-7161.
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