State officials suggest steps to prevent West Nile Virus

State and local public health officials are reminding Montanans to take steps to avoid mosquito bites and prevent infection with West Nile Virus (WNV). In Montana, WNV season usually begins in July and ends in October, as this is when the mosquitoes that transmit WNV emerge.

The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. While mosquitoes found in Montana are unable to transmit diseases like Zika virus, they do spread WNV. The virus can also infect horses and birds, with birds serving as the source of infection for most mosquitoes who then pass the v...