A man sickened with the West Nile virus has become Pinal County’s first locally-acquired human case. We always get some samples, of mosquito pools or bird positives; it’s not unusual at all.
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Dr. Howard Haft, deputy secretary of public health services, says a case of West Nile virus is expected this time of year. On July 21, Madison County Health Department received its first mosquito pool that was positive for West Nile Virus in Edwardsville.
According to the county, the areas receiving treatment have recently seen mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
Eliminate all sources of standing water including water in abandoned swimming pools, wading pools, old tires or buckets and containers.
“It is important that everyone knows what to do to help with the prevention and detection of West Nile Virus”, Jennifer Meyer, director of Environmental Program at St. Clair County Health Department, said.
Wear shoes, socks, long trousers and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
During the spraying, officials used ultralow volume equipment mounted on a truck that dispensed a mist of the pesticide Duet – a d-phenothrin/prallethrin and piperonyl butoxide based pesticide product used to combat mosquitoes in outdoor residential and recreational areas.
Mild cases of WNV can cause a slight fever or headache. Some individuals will develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other severe syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis or even death. These symptoms generally appear two to 14 days following the bite of an infected mosquito.
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The health department will continue collecting and testing dead birds through mid-October, with the exception of birds from the 61726 zip code.
