State environmental officials say they did not find West Nile virus in the latest round of mosquito tests in Rhode Island.
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The suspected case in Hinds Countywas confirmed by laboratories. In 2013, Mississippi had 45 West Nile cases and five deaths. “So this is the time of year to be extremely vigilant when going outdoors”, MSDH state epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs said. In 2014, Mississippi had 43 WNV cases and seven deaths. WNV season typically goes from summer through the fall and occurs each year in the United States.
Early symptoms can include fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion, severe headache, sudden sensitivity to light, tremors, numbness, or vision loss. All Mississippians are potentially at risk – not just the areas where cases are reported. If you need to be outside during this time, the simplest precaution is to wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, socks and a hat, and use an insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin.
Remove all sources of standing water around your home and yard to prevent mosquito breeding.
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The district authorized an adult mosquito control application Saturday in the area where the positive samples were collected to reduce the number of mosquitoes and break the virus transmission cycle, district officials said.
