by Megan Bell
Friday, June 29th 2018
TULSA COUNTY, Okla. (KTUL) — The http://www.tulsa-health.org/" rel="nofollow - Tulsa Health Department confirmed Friday that a sample of mosquitoes from a trap in Tulsa County tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).
Health officials say there have been no confirmed cases of the virus in humans in Tulsa County this year.
THD begins a http://www.tulsa-health.org/environmental-health/mosquito-control" rel="nofollow - mosquito surveillance program every May, but they say July through October are typically the highest risk months for exposure to WNV in Oklahoma.
“Our
mosquito surveillance program is attentive when testing for West Nile
virus,” said Bernard Dindy, Tulsa Health Department environmental health
services program manager. “We are proactive when it comes to
controlling the mosquito population by killing the eggs before they
become adults. We regularly test 25-30 unique locations weekly, and once
a positive sample is identified we are readily available to begin an
aggressive mosquito control methods in the area which includes informing
the public so they can protect themselves.”
WNV is spread
through the bite of an infected mosquito that feeds on infected birds,
then transmits the virus by biting humans, horses and other mammals.
Symptoms
of the virus include headache, sudden onset of fever, dizziness and
muscle weakness. Long-term problems can include migraine headaches,
difficulty concentrating, paralysis of limbs and extreme muscle weakness
and tremors. THD says if one or more of the symptoms develop,
especially within one to two weeks of a mosquito bite, you should
contact a doctor.
Health
officials say people over 50 years old are at a greater risk of
developing severe neurological disease from WNV infection, some of which
can have permanent effects.
“There have been human cases of West
Nile virus disease in Tulsa County before, some of which have resulted
in death,” Dindy said. “It’s so important to take steps to prevent
mosquitoes in your own yard and protect your family from mosquito-borne
illnesses.”
THD recommends precautions to take against mosquito bites:
- Dump
and drain items such as buckets, cans, pool covers, flower pots, and
tires from holding standing water so mosquitoes don’t have a place to
breed.
- Use an insect repellent containing DEET or other CDC
approved repellents on exposed skin and clothing when you go outdoors,
particularly if you are outside between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes
are more likely to bite. (Insect repellent with permethrin should be
used on clothing only.)
- Repair or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
- Encourage your friends and neighbors to dump and drain and to use repellents.
- Clean leaves and debris from rain gutters regularly to ensure they are not clogged.
As
part of their mosquito surveillance program in the community, THD has
special mosquito traps set up in different locations throughout Tulsa
County. The samples from the traps are collected and tested weekly for
WNV.
To file a complaint about mosquitoes in your area, you can
call 918-5494219. To report standing or stagnant water in your area, you
can call 918-595-4200 or submit an http://www.tulsa-health.org/environmentalmosquito-complaint" rel="nofollow - online environmental complaint form .
For all other information, please visit the http://www.tulsa-health.org/environmental-health" rel="nofollow - Tulsa Health Department's website .
Source: https://http://okcfox.com/news/local/thd-west-nile-virus-found-in-tulsa-county-mosquitoes" rel="nofollow - https://http://okcfox.com/news/local/thd-west-nile-virus-found-in-tulsa-county-mosquitoes