Alabama’s first 2025 case of West Nile virus has been reported by the state department of public health as mosquito season ramps up.

The ADPH has also reported a case of Dengue Fever and a case of Malaria acquired by residents who traveled out of state.

“The increase of global travel has brought diseases once uncommon or unheard of in the United States to our shores,” the ADPH release reads.

“Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses such as the Zika Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever and West Nile Virus have become more commonplace in recent years.”

These diseases have symptoms ranging from none at all (8 out of 10 infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms) to very serious and possibly fatal, less commonly.

In another release, the department says that “mosquitoes can be much more than an annoyance.”

“In fact, because they are vectors — living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases from animals to humans or other animals — they are considered by groups like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be among the most dangerous insects on Earth,” it continues.

While it’s virtually impossible to completely avoid mosquitoes, the department says there are several things you can do to minimize their presence around your yard and home:

• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers.
• Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
• Keep weeds, vines, hedges, and grass trimmed since mosquitoes use these shady areas as resting places during hot daylight hours.
• Keep window and door screens in good repair.
• Use an indoor flying insect fogger or indoor insect spray to kill mosquitoes inside your home and treat the dark, humid areas where they rest, such as under sinks and in closets.

The ADPH also offered the following steps to reduce the risk of getting bitten:

• Wear long sleeves and long pants when possible.
• Treat clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET (diethyltoluamide).
• Dress children in loose-fitting clothing that covers their arms and legs. Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• Apply repellents sparingly to exposed skin avoiding the eyes, lips, and nasal membranes. Do not use it on cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers guidance to select the repellent that is right for you.

If you have been bitten by a mosquito and experience symptoms like fever, vomiting, or a rash, the CDC recommends contacting your healthcare provider.