SAN BERNARDINO >> San Bernardino County Public Health officials have confirmed that West Nile Virus is present among mosquitoes in Rialto. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
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The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is sending out a warning this summer: West Nile virus is synonymous with summer in Nebraska.
“West Nile Virus is commonly found in some species of Nebraska mosquitoes, so the best defense against it is prevention”, said Michele Bever, PhD, executive director of South Heartland District Health Department. West Nile vaccinations for horses are encouraged.
About one in 150 people infected with West Nile virus develops a more severe form of disease, such as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, according to the USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Since 2010, when a large outbreak in Greece occurred, and implementation of close surveillance during the transmission season in 2011, hundreds of autochthonous (locally acquired) West Nile fever cases have been reported in Europe every year. In total, mosquitoes transmit 28 diseases and kill more people each year worldwide than any other single factor, including heart disease, cancer, AIDS and vehicle accidents. Most mosquito-related deaths are children. Fevers, rashes and body aches are common.
When stepping out, wear long trousers and long sleeves short.
Homeowners should remove any standing water around the house, if possible, and any containers that can hold water, like bird baths, old tires, flower pots and kid toys.
People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and kidney disease are at highest risk for serious illness from the virus, according to the CDC. “Mosquitoes breed in standing water if it lasts at least seven days”.
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Nebraskans should also try to avoid ticks, which can cause a diseases including ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and Lyme disease.
