Area Mosquito Pool Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

The North Central District Health Department (NCDHD) announced Wednesday that a mosquito pool in Holt County has tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The pool is the 24th mosquito pool across the state of Nebraska to test positive for the virus. In addition, there have been three confirmed cases across the state this year.

Residents in Holt County and surrounding areas are encouraged to take precautions to prevent themselves from contracting the disease. To avoid mosquitos, consider:

• Applying an EPA approved mosquito repellant (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535). 
• Limiting exposure when outdoors by wearing long sleeve shirts and pants. 
• Limiting time spent outdoors during when Culex mosquitoes are most active, typically dusk to midnight. 
• Getting rid of standing water that mosquitoes may breed.

West Nile Virus is contracted through mosquitoes that have bitten an infected bird. Generally, birds cannot pass the virus directly to humans.  West Nile Virus symptoms are flu-like and can include a slight fever or headache. Severe symptoms are not likely, but can lead to encephalitis, which can cause inflammation of the brain, disorientation, convulsions and paralysis. People over 50, infants, and pregnant women are especially susceptible to this disease. 

For more information on West Nile Virus or testing across the state, call the North Central District Health Department at 1-877-336-2406 or visit the DHHS website at http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/wnv.aspx.