DeKalb Health Department helping residents in wake of virus

South Dakota’s first West Nile virus (WNV) detection of the season is a Brown County mosquito pool, a state health official said today.

Though the virus, which is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, has not been reported anywhere in the Unites States, cases may increase in those who travel to and from the county.

The Culex species are known to transmit West Nile virus; they are not known to transmit Zika virus.

“This detection means the virus is here and now being transmitted”, said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the South Dakota Department of Health. We’ve had over 30 deaths from West Nile. Women who are pregnant or are expecting to be pregnant should avoid travel to an area with Zika.”It’s not whether we have the mosquitoes that carry the virus”, Jones said. “It’s time to get in the habit of using repellent to protect against mosquitoes”.

“A very small minority will develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease, a life threatening illness that can cause neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis”, the DSHS releases stated.

The Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District will be spraying for mosquitoes in three areas of the city Wednesday night.

Other steps can be taken to prevent mosquito bites, and thus exposure to the virus.

Less than 1 percent of infected people with West Nile virus will develop severe symptoms.

That’s why Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Directorate of Public Works-Environmental Management Division is asking the community to be cognizant of mosquito breeding prevention methods and the diseases associated with mosquito-borne viruses, such as Zika, West Nile and Dengue. Mild symptoms include a fever, headache, and body aches (occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body), and swollen lymph glands.