UNDATED (WTAQ) – The warmer temperatures of summer will be here before we know it and with those heated days come concerns with mosquito borne illnesses.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services epidemiologist Zip Johnson says the species of mosquito that carry the Zika virus have been spotted in the states surrounding Wisconsin.
“There have been reports of the aedes albopictus moving from central Illinois to northern Illinois and we know they’ve found some in Iowa as well as southern Minnesota.”
Johnson says that species is not in Wisconsin but it’s still important to be vigilant in protecting yourself from mosquito borne illnesses.
“The kind of mosquitos that can carry diseases are the culex species and they thrive in very low moisture but long, hot days.”
She says be sure to check your yard for standing water breeding sites and check window screens for holes where mosquitos can pass through.
It’s also important to protect yourself from tick bites and illnesses as well.
“We do have a lot of different types of tick borne diseases in Wisconsin, not just Lyme disease and we do know that the black legged ticks are increasing and spreading throughout all the areas of Wisconsin.”
Find out more on tick borne infections here.
Johnson says you should use insect repellant for protection while doing outside activities.
