sSeveral local health departments across the U.S. warned residents this week that authorities have detected mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in states across the country.
In New York, Suffolk County announced Monday that 16 mosquito samples tested positive for the virus, which can sometimes be fatal, bringing to 32 the total number of mosquito samples that tested positive for the virus so far this season. In New Jersey, Cape May County health officials he said Monday that they detected seven positive collections of West Nile virus during the months of June and July. Denton County Public Health (DCPH) in Texas also he said On Monday, five mosquito traps in unincorporated Denton County tested positive for West Nile virus, adding that the areas would be misted three times in the following days.
The next day, DCPH reported the first human case of West Nile virus in 2024 in the county; This patient was diagnosed with a severe form of the virus called West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Disease, which can lead to death or long-term disability.
“We are seeing more positive mosquito traps in recent weeks, indicating an increased risk of contracting West Nile virus, just as we saw in our first human case of the summer,” said DCPH Assistant Director and Chief Epidemiologist Juan Rodriguez. in a statement. press release on Tuesday. “We urge community members to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases.”
All three local health departments have advised residents to take steps to protect themselves, such as minimizing time outdoors between dusk and dawn, using mosquito repellent, draining standing water on your property to reduce mosquito breeding sites, and using long-sleeved shirts or long pants when mosquitoes are active.
“Confirmation of West Nile virus in mosquito samples indicates the presence of West Nile virus in the area,” Suffolk County Health Commissioner Gregson Pigott said in a press release. “While there is no cause for alarm, we advise residents to cooperate with us in our efforts to reduce exposure to West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.”
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West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the U.S., according to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If a mosquito carrying the virus bites a human being, that person can become infected with the virus.
About 80% of people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms, but about 20% may develop fever and other flu-like symptoms, according to HHS. Less than 1% of people develop severe neuroinvasive disease from West Nile virus, according to HHS. So far this year, 24 cases of West Nile virus have resulted in neuroinvasive disease in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
So far this year, 45 human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in 19 states, according to CDC data. This is lower than the 422 cases reported from January to July 2023, according to CDC data. West Nile virus cases typically begin to rise in July, peak in August and remain elevated into September, CDC data shows. States with the highest number of cases reported so far this year include Texas with 9, Nevada with 8 and Nebraska with 7, according to the CDC.
Last month, the Southern Nevada Health District said 91 mosquito clusters, comprising more than 3,000 mosquitoes, tested positive for West Nile virus.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
