Summer may be beginning to wind down with school just around the corner, but the most dangerous part of mosquito season is just beginning.
In its latest report, updated this week, the Mississippi Department of Health reports the season’s first case of West Nile virus in Hinds County and positive mosquito samples in eight counties, including Sunflower and Washington counties in the Delta.
Here’s what that means.
The human-case count represents only those confirmed by laboratory testing. In other words, some people had strong enough symptoms to warrant testing for the virus and one tested positive.
Most people infected with West Nile virus don’t get sick enough to get tested. They might experience slight headaches, mild fever and aches and pains that are not persistent.
But for an unlucky few, West Nile virus can result in dangerous fevers, mental disorientation, muscle weakness and, sometimes, lasting neurological effects. Last year in Mississippi, 63 people were infected and two people died of West Nile virus carried by mosquitoes, according to the Department of Health.
Anyone in a mosquito-infested area who doesn’t want to contract West Nile should take precautions: Use insect repellent, and wear long pants and sleeves and light-colored clothing.
Avoid areas certain to be infested with mosquitoes, especially low areas of standing water.
And although the first human case wasn’t in Leflore County, that doesn’t mean its mosquitoes are not infected.
Tests from the Department of Health this week show 43 incidences of infected mosquitoes, trapped and tested for West Nile virus in selected counties where a higher number of human cases have occurred in previous years. Positive tests for mosquitoes indicate that the West Nile virus is circulating in the state, and all residents, regardless of location, should take precautions.
West Nile virus is particularly dangerous for the elderly and people already in poor health.
Patch holes in window screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house, and eliminate sources of standing water near your house where mosquitoes can breed.
And remember that mosquitoes are not just a summer problem. In 2016, the last four cases of West Nile reported in Mississippi came in October.
nContact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
