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 optimistic for the virus, which may typically be life-threatening, bringing the overall variety of mosquito samples testing optimistic for the virus to date this season to 32. In New Jersey, Cape Might County well being officers mentioned Monday that they’ve detected seven optimistic West Nile virus collections through 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 optimistic for West Nile virus, including that the areas can 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 identified with a critical type of the virus, known as West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Illness, which may result in demise or long-term incapacity.
“We’re seeing extra optimistic mosquito traps in the previous couple of weeks indicating rising danger for contracting West Nile Virus, simply as we’ve seen in our first human case of the summer time,” 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 danger of contracting a mosquito-borne sickness.”
All three native well being departments suggested residents to take steps to guard themselves, reminiscent of minimizing time open air between nightfall and daybreak, utilizing mosquito repellent, draining standing water in your property to cut back mosquito breeding websites, and carrying long-sleeved shirts or lengthy pants when mosquitoes are lively.
“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 any trigger for alarm, we advise residents to cooperate with us in our efforts to cut back publicity to West Nile virus and different mosquito-borne ailments.”
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West Nile virus is the commonest mosquito-borne illness within the U.S., in response to the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS). If a mosquito carrying the virus bites a human, that particular person can turn out to be contaminated with the virus.
About 80% of individuals contaminated with West Nile virus gained’t have any signs, however about 20% might develop a fever and different flu-like signs, in response to the HHS. Lower than 1% of individuals develop extreme West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Illness, in response to the HHS. To date this yr, 24 circumstances of West Nile virus have resulted in neuroinvasive illness within the U.S., in response to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
To date this yr, 45 human circumstances of West Nile virus have been reported in 19 states, in response to knowledge from the CDC. That is decrease than the 422 circumstances that had been reported from January to July of 2023, in response to CDC knowledge. Instances of West Nile virus often begin to improve in July, peak in August, and stay excessive in September, CDC knowledge exhibits. States with probably the most reported circumstances to date this yr embrace Texas at 9, Nevada at 8, and Nebraska at 7, in response to the CDC.
Final month, the Southern Nevada Well being District mentioned that 91 mosquito swimming pools, comprising greater than 3,000 mosquitoes, examined optimistic for West Nile virus.
