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Suffolk Mosquito Control WNV and EEE Positive Mosquitoes Identified


SUFFOLK, VA. (August 25, 2022) The City of Suffolk has detected West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes collected from the following areas and neighborhoods:
WNV – Planter’s Peanut Area and the neighborhood of North Jericho
Citizens should be aware that there is increased WNV activity in these areas and they should take the necessary actions to protect themselves while engaging in outdoor activities.
WNV infected individuals can show no symptoms, mild symptoms, or severe symptoms. “80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.” Up to 20 percent of the people who exhibit mild symptoms of WNV have flu-like symptoms and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. In the most severe of cases (1 of 150) of WNV individuals will develop severe illness which can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
Although Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has not been detected in the city as of this moment, mosquito control wants you to be aware that it is commonly found yearly in our surveillance. EEE is a very rare human disease that affects 5-10 humans annually in the United States. EEE infection in humans begins with mild flu-like symptoms, progresses into disorientation, seizures, coma, encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain) and in the most severe cases individuals die. Many that survive will have “mild to severe brain damage” No human cases of EEE have ever been reported in the City of Suffolk.
Horses are commonly found with EEE in Suffolk. Mosquito Control urges horse owners to vaccinate their horses for EEE and any other insect transmitted diseases that could affect their animals. Properly timed and administrated vaccinations by a licensed veterinarian can mean a healthy horse during the mosquito season.
Mosquito Control operations are intensifying their efforts in these areas because of these positive test confirmations. We have increased mosquito surveillance, treatment of standing water, and spraying for adult mosquitoes.
You can greatly decrease your chances of contracting WNV and EEE by protecting yourself from excessive mosquito bites while outdoors by following these recommendations:
• Remain indoors during times of greatest mosquito activity (1 hour before dusk to 1 hour before dawn)
• Wear loose, long, and light-colored clothing when outdoors
• Use insect repellants containing DEET according to the label instructions.
You can contribute by eliminating mosquito-breeding areas around your home and neighborhood by following these steps:
• Empty water-holding containers: buckets, drums, bottles, tin cans, wheel barrows, potted plant trays, etc.
• Properly dispose of used tires.
• Clear roof gutters, downspouts and corrugated black drainpipes for any water collection.
• Clean wading and swimming pools
• Drain water from tarps
• Place Mosquito Dunks in stagnant water areas around your home which include ditches and low lying areas
Free Mosquito Dunks are available to Suffolk citizens at your local fire stations 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Media Department at City Hall, Whaleyville Community Center, East Suffolk Recreation Center, and all Suffolk Public Libraries. In order to get your free Mosquito Dunks you must be 18 years of age or older, have proof of residence in the City of Suffolk, proper picture identification and sign the “Information Sheet” at the fire station. Placing Mosquito Dunks in stagnant water habitats is a common practice used to eliminate mosquito larvae.
For more information concerning EEE and WNV refer to the following links: Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
Horses and EEE Fact Sheet provided by Rutgers University https://esc.rutgers.edu/.../questions-regarding-eastern... horses/

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Call 757 514-7609   Email Mosquito.control@suffolkva.us

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Publications 

This year we had four publications in peer reviewed journals.  Two of these publications (1,2) were in collaboration with the Connecticut Agricultural Extension Station (CAES) and will help bolster an initiative of CDC’s Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEVBD), which the CAES is partnered with.  The third publication (3) was in collaboration with the BioGents AG from Regensburg Germany, a leading company within the mosquito control industry specializing in mosquito surveillance equipment and research. Our final publication (4) was  in collaboration with entomologists and mosquito professionals in the state of North Carolina.


  1. Host Associations of Culex pipiens: A Two-Year Analysis of Bloodmeal Sources and Implications for Arboviral Transmission in Southeastern Virginia.  Vector Borne Zoonotic Diseases 10-18-2021 The mosquito species Culex Pipiens captured through our routine surveillance were identified as being bloodfed and sent to Connecticut Agricultural Extension Station.  The blood in the mosquitoes were analyzed to see what these mosquitoes had fed on and several inferences were made based on these findings.  This paper helps us understand the biology of Suffolk’s most important disease transmitting mosquito. 
  2. Host interactions of Aedes albopictus, an invasive vector of arboviruses, in Virginia, USA. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2-18-2021.  The mosquito species Aedes albopictus, the Tiger Mosquito, captured through our routine surveillance were identified as being bloodfed and sent to Connecticut Agricultural Extension Station.  The blood in the mosquitoes were analyzed to see what these mosquitoes had fed on and several inferences were made based on these findings.  This paper helps us understand the biology of Suffolk’s most important nuisance mosquito as well as the most likely mosquito to transmit new invasive exotic arboviruses.  
  3. Evaluation of the New Modular Biogents BG-Pro mosquito trap in comparison to CDC, EVS, BG-Sentinel and BG-Mosquitaire traps. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, Volume 37 Issue 4 :224–241, December 2021.  Various mosquito surveillance traps were evaluated and compared, the data is analyzed in this way helps Suffolk mosquito control decide to introduce new and more efficient trapping techniques.  This information can help us target mosquitoes more effectively 
  4. Culex Nigripalpus Distribution Expansion:First Record in Virginia, New County Records in North Carolina and Revised United States Maps. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, Volume 37 Issue 4:188–197, December 2021.  Suffolk Mosquito Control identified the first record of the mosquito species, Culex nigripalpus, in the State of Virginia.  This mosquito is “ the most important disease vectors in Florida” as a vector (transmitter) of Saint Louis Encephalitis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.  Knowing that it is in our city allows us to keep a watchful eye on its activity to help keep Suffolk safe.

Positive Mosquitoes Detected In Suffolk

Disease Total Downtown Northeast Northwest Southeast Southwest
WNV 28 19 5 2 0 2
EEE 16 4 7 2 3 0

WNV - West Nile Virus

EEE - Eastern Equine Encephalitis