4 cases of West Nile virus reported in Jefferson County

Four cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been reported in Jefferson County, according to the Jefferson County Department of Health.Dr. Wesley Willeford, Disease Control Medical Director, said there were seven reported cases in 2023.WNV is spread by mosquitoes and can impact birds, mammals, and humans. Willeford said the Culex pipiens mosquito is the most common species associated with WNV.Eight in 10 people who become infected with WNV do not have symptoms. One in five will develop a mild or moderate flu-like illness with headaches, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash. Most people will fully recover, according to Willeford.He said severe symptoms are much less common, affecting one in 150 people. Those patients may see an infection in their central nervous system with symptoms such as high fever, headache, neck stiffness, impaired consciousness, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. WNV can infect people of any age, but those over the age of 60 years and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe infection.There is currently no treatment or vaccine available for WNV.Best ways to protect yourself from WNV:- Avoid mosquito exposure in early morning and early evening when they are most active.- Wear long sleeves and long pants when possible.- Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes to retain less heat, making you less attractive to mosquitoes.- Treat clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET (diethyltoluamide).- Apply repellents sparingly to exposed skin, avoiding the eyes, lips, and nasal membranes. Do not use it on cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. Always follow label instructions when applying repellents.- Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home by keeping window and door screens in good repair.- Eliminate breeding sites before mosquitoes become a problem. TIP AND TOSS- Install or repair and use window and door screens. Do not leave doors propped open.- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.- Tightly cover water storage containers like buckets, cisterns, rain barrels, so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.- Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito for containers without lids.- Use larvicides if a body of water is large and will not be used for drinking or if it cannot be covered or dumped out.- If a tree hole holds water, fill it with expanding foam for home insulation projects. Look for a product that is made to fill big gaps and is water resistant. Do not fill a tree hole with gravel, sand, or concrete or drill drain holes in the tree.- Fill in holes or depressions in your yard where water collects.- Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets and keep drains and gutters unclogged so that water does not collect in these areas.- Trim weeds, vines, hedges, and grass, as mosquitoes use these shady areas as resting places during hot daylight hours.- Use an outdoor flying insect spray where mosquitoes rest. Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like patio furniture or the carport or garage. When using insecticides, always follow label instructions.>> WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for free- If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vents or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.- Hire a pest control expert to treat your yard and outdoor areas with long-lasting insecticide or larvicide to control mosquitoes for up to several weeks.