People primarily get West Nile virus through the bite of an infected mosquito, but less than 1 percent of those infected develop a serious neurological illness such as encephalitis or meningitis, Williams County officials said.
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WHITE PLAINS, New York -The Westchester County Department of Health is reminding residents to dump out standing water on their property after it rains, and to use insect repellents when outdoors in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that could carry West Nile Virus.
Of the cases we have seen this year, 10 have been neuroinvasive disease (NID), two have been West Nile fever and eight have been asymptomatic.
The first case of West Nile fever was reported in the Dallas ZIP code 75217, and one case each of neuroinvasive West Nile was reported in 75212 and 75214.
Last year, state health officials reported 44 human cases of West Nile Virus in Illinois, including four deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following the recommendations appearing on the product label when using repellent.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers when outdoors for long periods of time.
Reduce the mosquito population by eliminating standing water around your home, which is where mosquitoes breed.
Make sure that your house has tight-fitting windows and doors, and that all screens are free of holes.
The City of Commerce along with assistance from Texas A&M University-Commerce has been testing mosquitoes for various diseases by trapping them and sending them to the Department of State Health Services. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
Emergency management staff strongly suggest that everyone take extra precautionary measures in protecting themselves from mosquitoes.
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Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas and hot tubs, and drain water that collects on their covers.
