Fog of War: Maricopa County on the frontline in battle against two sinister viral diseases

The efforts of Maricopa County's Vector Control are critical for public health and safety.

PUBLISHED AUG 6, 2024

Early detection and rapid response are very important in preventing outbreaks.

Phoenix, Arizona: In a concerted effort to protect residents from vector-borne diseases, Maricopa County's Vector Control team, led by Eastern District Supervisor Dan Armijo, is taking steps to combat the spread of West Nile Virus and St Louis Encephalitis.

Armijo, who oversees vector control operations, emphasized the importance of early detection and rapid response in preventing outbreaks. "The two vector-borne diseases that we primarily deal with are West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis," he explained. To monitor the presence of these diseases, the team routinely sets traps to capture mosquitoes across the county.

"Even if we catch a single mosquito in one of our routine traps," Armijo noted, "if it has any markings of the viral load, we'll still fog the whole entire subdivision, which is the entire square mile that the trap sets in."

This proactive fogging strategy ensures that even the smallest signs of a potential outbreak are swiftly addressed, reducing the risk of disease transmission to humans. By treating entire subdivisions, the Vector Control team can effectively minimize the mosquito population and limit the spread of the virus.

The efforts of Maricopa County's Vector Control are critical in maintaining public health and safety.

What is the West Nile Virus (WNV)?

WNV is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause illness in humans. It was first identified in Uganda in 1937 and has since spread to many parts of the world, including the US. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, although it can also be spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and from mother to baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

What is St Louis Encephalitis?

St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. It is named after the city of St. Louis, Missouri, where a significant outbreak occurred in 1933. The virus is maintained in a cycle between mosquitoes and birds, and humans can become infected through the bite of an infected mosquito.