Several native well being departments within the U.S. warned residents this week that officers have detected mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in states throughout the nation.
In New York, Suffolk County introduced Monday that 16 mosquito samples have examined constructive for the virus, which may typically be life-threatening, bringing the whole variety of mosquito samples testing constructive for the virus to this point this season to 32. In New Jersey, Cape Could County well being officers mentioned Monday that they’ve detected seven constructive West Nile virus collections throughout the months of June and July. Denton County Public Well being (DCPH) in Texas additionally mentioned Monday that 5 mosquito traps in unincorporated Denton County examined constructive for West Nile virus, including that the areas could be fogged thrice over the next days.
The following day, DCPH reported the primary 2024 human case of West Nile virus within the county; that affected person was recognized with a severe type of the virus, referred to as West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Illness, which may result in demise or long-term incapacity.
“We’re seeing extra constructive mosquito traps in the previous couple of weeks indicating growing threat for contracting West Nile Virus, simply as we’ve seen in our first human case of the summer season,” DCPH Assistant Director and Chief Epidemiologist Juan Rodriguez mentioned in a press launch on Tuesday. “We ask group members to take preventive actions to decrease their threat of contracting a mosquito-borne sickness.”
All three native well being departments suggested residents to take steps to guard themselves, corresponding to minimizing time open air between nightfall and daybreak, utilizing mosquito repellent, draining standing water in your property to scale back mosquito breeding websites, and sporting long-sleeved shirts or lengthy pants when mosquitoes are energetic.
“The affirmation of West Nile virus in mosquito samples signifies the presence of West Nile virus within the space,” Suffolk County Well being Commissioner Gregson Pigott mentioned in a press launch. “Whereas there isn’t a trigger for alarm, we advise residents to cooperate with us in our efforts to scale back publicity to West Nile virus and different mosquito-borne illnesses.”
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West Nile virus is the commonest mosquito-borne illness within the U.S., in accordance with the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS). If a mosquito carrying the virus bites a human, that individual can turn into contaminated with the virus.
About 80% of individuals contaminated with West Nile virus received’t have any signs, however about 20% might develop a fever and different flu-like signs, in accordance with the HHS. Lower than 1% of individuals develop extreme West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Illness, in accordance with the HHS. Thus far this yr, 24 instances of West Nile virus have resulted in neuroinvasive illness within the U.S., in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
Thus far this yr, 45 human instances of West Nile virus have been reported in 19 states, in accordance with information from the CDC. That is decrease than the 422 instances that have been reported from January to July of 2023, in accordance with CDC information. Instances of West Nile virus often begin to improve in July, peak in August, and stay excessive in September, CDC information exhibits. States with essentially the most reported instances to this point this yr embody Texas at 9, Nevada at 8, and Nebraska at 7, in accordance with the CDC.
Final month, the Southern Nevada Well being District mentioned that 91 mosquito swimming pools, comprising greater than 3,000 mosquitoes, examined constructive for West Nile virus.
