Confirmed Human Case of West Nile Virus

       The Mississippi County Health Department received confirmation of a positive human case of West Nile Virus for Mississippi County.  This is the first human case in Mississippi County, which was a 63-year-old male, admitted to Southeast Hospital and has now been released.  Per the Center for Disease Control's Website www.cdc.gov, 145 people have tested positive for West Nile Virus as of October 11, 2002 in the state of Missouri with 4 deaths.

West Nile Virus cases occur primarily in the late summer or early fall but one species of mosquitoes, Culex species, can survive through the winter in the adult stage.  West Nile Virus is transmitted when a mosquito feeds on an infected bird and the virus becomes located in the mosquitoes salivary glands.  When the infected mosquito feeds on a human or animal for a blood meal, the virus can be injected from the mosquito's salivary glands.

Now that cooler temperatures are upon us, mosquito activity will be decreasing but precautions should still be taken to prevent mosquito bites.  The following are some recommendations to help prevent mosquito bites: wear long sleeve shirts and long pants, use insect repellents that contain DEET, replace screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from coming indoors, and limit standing water in flower pots, gutters, old tires, ditches to prevent breeding sites for mosquitoes.  Hunters should also be aware of mosquito activity and use the previous suggestions to limit mosquito bites.  Currently, there is no evidence to suggest  you can get West Nile Virus from consuming infected birds or animals.  Cooking meats thoroughly to prevent food-borne pathogens is recommended for all meats.