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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 might generally 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 Might County well being officers stated Monday that they’ve detected seven constructive West Nile virus collections through the months of June and July. Denton County Public Well being (DCPH) in Texas additionally stated Monday that 5 mosquito traps in unincorporated Denton County examined constructive for West Nile virus, including that the areas could be fogged 3 times 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 might result in dying 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 time,” DCPH Assistant Director and Chief Epidemiologist Juan Rodriguez stated 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, 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 stated in a press launch. “Whereas there isn’t a 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 illnesses.”
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West Nile virus is the commonest mosquito-borne illness within the U.S., based on the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS). If a mosquito carrying the virus bites a human, that individual can develop into contaminated with the virus.
About 80% of individuals contaminated with West Nile virus received’t have any signs, however about 20% could develop a fever and different flu-like signs, based on the HHS. Lower than 1% of individuals develop extreme West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Illness, based on the HHS. Up to now this yr, 24 instances of West Nile virus have resulted in neuroinvasive illness within the U.S., based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
Up to now this yr, 45 human instances of West Nile virus have been reported in 19 states, based on knowledge from the CDC. That is decrease than the 422 instances that had been reported from January to July of 2023, based on CDC knowledge. Instances of West Nile virus normally begin to enhance in July, peak in August, and stay excessive in September, CDC knowledge exhibits. States with essentially the most reported instances to this point this yr embrace Texas at 9, Nevada at 8, and Nebraska at 7, based on the CDC.
Final month, the Southern Nevada Well being District stated that 91 mosquito swimming pools, comprising greater than 3,000 mosquitoes, examined constructive for West Nile virus.
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