Mosquitoes in St. Louis County test positive for West Nile virus
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The St. Louis County Health Department has confirmed that some mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. Cases of the West Nile are most common during mosquito season, which ranges from summer to fall.
There are no treatments or preventions for the virus. Officials say 1-in-5 people who are infected experience symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. About 1-in-150 will develop a serious and potentially fatal illness.
The St. Louis County Health Department first saw reports of the disease making its way into Missouri in 2002 and it has been a nationally notifiable disease since 2005.
The state has not reported any infections in humans this spring and summer. Tests of mosquitoes are done from April to October.
The CDC also says that you can reduce your risk of contracting the West Nile virus by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. The prevention tips from the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommend wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks and applying mosquito repellant when going outside.
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