Nebraska experiences first deaths due to West Nile Virus

LINCOLN, Neb. (KCAU) — Nebraska health officials have announced the first two deaths due to the West Nile Virus for the year.

According to a release from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, there were two recent deaths in the central region of the state attributed to the virus. Officials didn’t provide any other details on the two people who died.

Nebraska has an average of six deaths per year due to the West Nile Virus.

Anyone can get the West Nile Virus, but those 50 years old or older or anyone with a compromised immune system are at the greatest risk for severe illness.

Mild symptoms of the West Nile Virus can include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. Severe signs will include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions, and paralysis.

Most people infected with the virus won’t feel sick, with only one in five people developing a fever and other symptoms. Approximately one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat WNV in people, so the DHHS is asking Nebraskans to take these preventive steps to “fight the bite” and avoid mosquito bites by following the below suggestions.

Use Insect Repellent

Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• DEET
• Picaridin (known as KBR 3023)
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Para-menthane-diol
• 2-undecanone

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants

• Use 0.5 percent permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
• Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.
• Do not use permethrin products directly on the skin.

Take extra precautions when going outdoors at dawn and dusk

Dawn and dusk are when mosquitoes are most active.

Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors

• Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
• Use air conditioning, if available.
• Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water.
• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.
• Check for water-holding containers both indoors and outdoors.

The Nebraska DHHS has more about the West Nile Virus and how to reduce risk here .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.