He said other dead birds were found in the yard so the homeowner called the health department, which had the blue jay tested. Public health officials plan to use her case to determine where the risk areas for West Nile Virus are.
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DES MOINES | Two cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Sioux County, the state’s first confirmed cases of the disease in humans this year. He was also most likely exposed to infected mosquitoes in Benton County. This region continues to be the “hot spot” in our state due to the combination of warm weather, standing water, and vegetation providing ideal habitat for mosquitoes and birds that carry the virus.
West Nile was first found in the state back in 1999.
The health department in Kendall County is encouraging residents to take basic precautions to prevent mosquitoes from breeding or biting. Symptoms of West Nile virus are often mild, but can result in encephalitis or meningitis, health officials said.
“For pregnant women, or people trying to start families, it’s best to postpone trips until they absolutely have to”, Brito said.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. The study suggests that residents should either wear mosquito repellent or stay indoors.
Limit time spent outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
Patch holes in screens and make sure screens are tightly attached to doors and windows.
In addition, make sure that door and window screens are in good fix and reduce mosquito habitat near homes by dumping standing water from buckets, cans, wading pools, bird baths, old tires and other sources.
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West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness that is usually spread to animals and humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. People with symptoms may experience fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash typically occurring two to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
