With the Zika and West Nile viruses being in Texas, prevention should take be on the forefront of Collin County residents’ minds.
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Last year, 64 counties in IL reported a West Nile virus positive mosquito batch, bird and/or human case.
Officials said the individual was not hospitalized.
Nebraska is considered a low-risk state for the possibility of the Zika virus spreading here.
People over 50 years old, diabetics, or those suffering from uncontrolled hypertension are at greater risk of developing severe neurological disease from West Nile. “It’s important to get into the habit of protecting yourself from mosquito bites now because we’ve got a summer of warm weather and outdoor activities ahead of us”.
WNV is spread through the bite of the Culex mosquito, which feeds on infected birds and transmits the virus when biting humans, horses and some other mammals. The city has been putting the bricks out for over a month now and began spraying for mosquitoes on June 9, earlier than usual. No cases have been reported in Oklahoma so far this year. “If you do have to be out during those times either wear long sleeves or loose clothing or wear mosquito repellent especially those that have DEET in them”. However, just because Zika-carrying mosquitoes can inhabit a certain area, this does not ensure that the virus will follow. He says residents should also remove standing water, and support local mosquito control efforts. The most susceptible to the illness include infants and the elderly. Some may experience sudden onset of fever, headache, dizziness, and muscle weakness and recover within one to three weeks while others develop life-threatening meningitis or encephalitis causing confusion, stupor, paralysis or a coma.
As many as 80 percent of people who contract the virus will have no symptoms at all, according to the release. The LaSalle County Health Department regularly checks different mosquito traps in the area for mosquitoes that could test positive.
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For Zika-related traveler information and advisories, go to the CDC website.
