The Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) is now able to test mosquitoes for the Zika virus. Although, the MCESD’s Vector Control technicians were already testing for  Chikungunya,  West Nile virus and  Saint Louis encephalitis.

Steven Goode, Maricopa County Environmental Services Department director, said that, “Our Vector Control Laboratory has been re-engineered and has new equipment.”

“We have been working diligently with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand our mosquito testing protocols. This is another crucial step forward in our battle to protect Maricopa County residents and our visitors from mosquito-borne diseases.”

“The Board of Supervisors is proud of the steps taken to advance testing already done on mosquitoes,” said Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Clint Hickman.

“The County’s residents can be comforted in knowing that MaricopaCounty departments are working together and closely with other agencies to help minimize risks of mosquito-borne diseases.”

Aedes aegypti, that caused Zika virus has been in  Maricopa County for years, but there is none case of Zika transmission found in Arizona,  the Arizona Department of Health Services said. According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the first travel related case of virus found in the state in March, but there have been no other cases of Zika found in the state.

"As soon as Public Health became aware of the suspect case, the individual was contacted to ensure she stayed indoors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in an attempt to prevent further spread of the virus," said Bob England, MD, MPH, MCDPH director.

“Mosquitoes will lay eggs in a soda-capful of water; that’s how little water that they need,” said Kara Cox, MCESD Vector Control specialist.

Also read: Shalini Patnaik at Pageant- India America Show 2016

Nandini