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McLean County ninth in state with sign of West Nile Virus

Now, mosquitoes at the Roswell Marsh near Parma have tested positive. “When we woke up in that first week of June and had the mosquito hatch, it was all hands on deck”. The West Nile virus is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes that could result in permanent brain damage in some people. Tules – which carry the virus – are rare for this area. “Gutters that are flooded, buckets, cans, tires, bird baths, pet dishes, flower pots – things of that nature around the house may hold three to four inches of stagnant water”. Make sure to read and follow label instructions.

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· Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

– Change water in birdbaths at least weekly.

· Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds and keep shrubs and grass trimmed.

Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. Russell says they’ll be with us as long as there’s plenty of standing water. The record number of deaths due to the virus is 15 recorded in 2012.

A mosquito bite can also pack a more risky punch in the form of several diseases, Boston said.

· Stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are the most active. He also suggests tight-fitting doors and screens that are in good fix.

Dead birds found on area properties may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area.

The first human case of the virus in Nebraska was just reported last Friday in central Nebraska. A lot of these are – they are all mosquito born.

The vaccine, called HydroVax-001, contains inactivated virus cells incapable of infecting a host but still able to trigger immune system responses expected to protect the body from West Nile.

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Intercommunity Health Director Maureen Hennessey, who looks after the West Nile surveillance program in Delaware County, said that a West Nile surveillance program has been launched in Delaware County and no mosquito has been tested positive for the virus.

Alberto Garcia Flickr