For the first time, Maricopa County is experiencing simultaneous mosquito-borne illness outbreaks. Outbreaks of West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis have never been reported at the same time before.
Craig Levy is an epidemiologist with Maricopa County Public Health. He said there are many factors causing the dual outbreak.
“Both viruses are transmitted by the same kind of mosquitoes and are also spiked up by the mosquitoes by feeding on infected birds," Levy said. "And just having it happen at the same time, at very intense levels, is unusual."
He said the Cuelex mosquito, which carries the viruses, is the culprit. He warns they’re most active at night.
“Cuelex mosquitoes are mostly nighttime biting, so between dusk and dawn," Levy said. "If you’re going to be outdoors after dark and if there’s mosquito activity, make sure you use insect repellent. If you don’t have to be outdoors after dark…don’t."
Forty-one cases of West Nile and 10 cases of SLE have been confirmed in Maricopa County this year. On average, there are only 100 recorded cases of West Nile state wide. There are rarely any cases of SLE recorded.
