Forth person in Dallas County infected with West Nile

Last year, 218 people in Los Angeles County, not including Long Beach or Pasadena, were infected by the virus, seven of whom died, according to the county Department of Public Health.

Collaborating with Massachusetts Dept of Public Health, neighboring and regional health departments to monitor, test and address WNV and EEE in our region.

There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection. According to officials, about eighty percent of people carrying West Nile won’t show any signs.

There were 12 human cases reported in 2013, but that number declined to only three human cases past year. Along with severe fatigue, symptoms include fever, vomiting, and skin rash. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.

Most human cases of West Nile virus are transmitted through mosquito bites.

“This time of the year, the risk of West Nile virus infection increases, and individuals should take reasonable precautions to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites”, health department medical director Mary DiOrio said. Emergency management officials along with city staff will continue to test for infected mosquitoes in all areas of town. But, Finkelstein said, in 80 per cent of cases those infected will have no symptoms and the virus’ presence is only confirmed through blood tests. Adults can apply insect repellents with up to 30 percent DEET on infants over two months of age by applying the product to their own hands and then rubbing their hands on their children. Wear long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. To place a complaint about mosquitoes in your area, please call 918-595-4219 or submit an online environmental complaint form on the Tulsa Health Department website at www.tulsa-health.org. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night. Once a week, empty, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers both inside and outside your home.