The Clay County Health Department has confirmed the first West Nile virus (WNV) positive mosquito sample of the season. The sample, collected on Tuesday (August 19th) came from the Louisville area.
Health officials say confirmation of the virus in mosquitoes means it is circulating in the community, increasing the risk of human infection. Residents are urged to take precautions by remembering the “Three R’s”:
Reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
Repel them by using insect repellent.
Report areas of standing water where mosquitoes breed.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, which contracts the virus by feeding on infected birds. The illness cannot be spread person-to-person.
Most people who contract WNV show no symptoms. However, some may experience fever, headache, nausea, and muscle aches lasting days or weeks. In rare cases, the virus can cause severe illness, including meningitis, encephalitis, or even death. Adults over 50 are at the greatest risk for complications.
Because the virus typically appears in mosquito populations two to six weeks before human infections occur, surveillance is key. Clay County Health Department conducts testing on mosquito batches and investigates potential mosquito breeding sites as part of its prevention efforts.
For more information, contact the Clay County Health Department at 662-4406 or visit www.healthdept.org.
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