West Nile virus detected in St. Clair County

West Nile virus has been detected in St. Clair County, according a news release from the health department.

The department conducts seasonal surveillance for mosquito-borne diseases and the virus was recently detected during their routine sampling. The department tests pools of mosquitoes collected throughout the county for disease. There have been no reported human cases of West Nile virus at this time.

The virus is transmitted to people through bites from infected mosquitoes. About one in five individuals infected develop symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, and fatigue, according to the health department. In rare cases, it can lead to severe neurological complications and death, especially among older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause disease,” Alicia Hawkins, environmental health sanitarian at the St. Clair County Health Department, said in a statement. “There is no vaccine or cure for WNV, so the best way to prevent mosquito-borne disease is to prevent mosquito bites.”

• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitos outside.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires and other water-holding containers where mosquitos can lay eggs.

For more information, visit www.scchealth.co or contact the SCCHD Environmental Health Division at (810) 987-5306.