Mosquito & Vector Control

Mosquito, Ticks, and other insects may transfer infectious diseases to humans. This section will provide information on West Nile Virus (mosquito-borne disease) and on Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (tick-borne disease).

North Carolina first identified West Nile Virus in Chatham County in September of 2000 in a single crow and since then has incorporated surveillance for West Nile Virus into its existing programs throughout the state.

West Nile Virus

In August 2003, the Appalachian District Health Department issued a community-wide health alert for West Nile Virus after birds testing positive in Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga Counties were discovered.

To assist with this relatively new public health problem, the Public Health Pest Management section recommends a four-tiered approach to prevent an outbreak of this disease.

  1. Education:

    Disseminate information to the public, public health officials, local health officials, veterinarians, wildlife management, and park service individuals to extend the surveillance capabilities of the state.

  2. Surveillance:

    Surveillance for the virus in mosquitoes, sentinel flocks and other animals or people in North Carolina. Source Reduction and Control: Once evidence of the virus is confirmed, source elimination control programs will identify and target the source that may serve as carriers of the pathogen.

  3. Disease Symptoms:

    The virus has an incubation period of 5 to 15 days, with a sudden onset of symptoms that may include fever, headache and body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands. In more severe cases, disorientation, coma, tremors and paralysis can occur.

    Wild Bird Reporting

    When the West Nile virus first appeared in the U.S., many states, North Carolina included, was able to get valuable information from the collection and subsequent testing of dead wild birds. However, now that the virus has become established within the wild bird population, testing dead birds is no longer necessary. Therefore, the state (and the Appalachian District Health Department) is no longer keeping track of dead bird reports or submitting birds for testing. For additional information, please contact the Health Department.