Erie County residents should protect against mosquitoes and ticks, especially at this time of year, the Erie County Health Department recommended Monday.
The West Nile virus has been identified through routine mosquito testing, and the risk of Lyme disease through ticks is heightened in September and October.
The West Nile virus is commonly found through routine testing in Erie County and this year is no exception. Most infected with the virus show no symptoms, but about one in five will develop a mild fever. County health officials recommend avoiding the outdoors at dusk and dawn and using insect repellent.
To avoid Lyme disease exposure, officials recommend keeping lawns mowed and cleared of garden litter, and walking on clear, marked trails. The ticks that carry the disease attach themselves to deer, which are more actively roaming this time of year.