Mass. Officials confirm the first WNV death in 2015

Abilene Animal Services has been testing mosquitoes in Abilene and the Big Country for West Nile Virus for the past several months after the heavy rains experienced earlier in the year.

The Health Department only releases statistics about laboratory-confirmed cases.

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, people can stay healthy by using simple, effective strategies to protect themselves and their families by reading and following all repellant label directions.

The Mississippi State Department of Health says one death linked to the virus was recorded in Attala County in August. In 2012, there were 33 cases and two deaths, the county Health Department reported.

Additional cases of West Nile virus are expected until after the first hard freeze.

“There has only been one confirmed cased of WN (West Nile) in our region”, said Derrick Neal, health administrator for the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District, in an email. Cases were reported in 26 counties in Ohio, with 22 of those being human infections.

DPH urges residents to avoid the outdoors during peak mosquito hours, from dusk to dawn, and wear long sleeves and trousers to keep skin covered.

Symptoms of WNV infection are often mild and may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes. Homeowners should eliminated and sources of standing water on their properties where the pests may lay eggs.

For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the MSDH website.