2nd case of West Nile Virus diagnosed in Oklahoma County

The precise location was not disclosed.

Lehigh County has seen two positives out of 100 mosquitoes tested this year, as indicated by state statistics. Most people infected with West Nile virus don’t experience any symptoms but 1 in 5 people might develop a fever and have fatigue and body aches.

In addition to this case, two mosquito pools found in Grand Forks County have shown positive results in a West Nile virus test.

The mosquitos that tested positive had been collected in a trap near the health department, which is at 2250 N. Annie Glidden Road, said Greg Maurice, director of health protection for the DeKalb County Health Department.

– Minimize outdoor activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

However, certain species are equally as likely to feed on a bird as on a human, which can spread diseases such as West Nile virus. These symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, or encephalitis inflammation of the brain, which can cause paralysis or death.

Chikungunya has been reported twice and both were travel-related cases. The department says the rainfall the last couple months has led to a higher population of mosquitoes.

Since West Nile virus was introduced into Oklahoma in the early 2000s, there have been three outbreak years – 2003, 2007 and 2012.

The West Nile virus is commonly found in mosquitoes.

Make sure that your house has tight-fitting windows and doors, and that all screens are free of holes. “Scientists have not been able to predict the number of West Nile Virus cases, so it is important to protect yourself from mosquito bites and eliminate breeding sites around your home”, said Christine Mulgrew, DPHHS WNV program manager. There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection.

– Buy products with Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) – a naturally-occurring bacteria that kills mosquito larvae but is safe for people, pets and plants – for stagnant pools of water in the lawn and garden.