ST. CHARLES COUNTY (KMOX) - The St. Charles County Division of Environmental Health and Protection’s Mosquito Control program has detected mosquitoes in the area that are infected with West Nile virus (WNV).
The county released the program's latest finding on Wednesday and say there have been no confirmed cases of the virus in humans this year. As of May, there have been a total of 664 cases of WNV in people in the US, according to the CDC.
There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. However, in about 1 of every 150 cases a person has developed a severe illness affecting the central nervous system. People 50 years of age and older, or those with diabetes or hypertension, are most at risk.
St. Charles County has been trapping and test mosquitoes in the area for the last five years and analyzing them on a weekly basis.
“Following this positive indication in our community, our staff will increase treatment efforts aimed at reducing the risk for exposure to residents," says Seth Otto V, Mosquito Control Program Coordinator. "Staff also reminds residents about the importance of taking steps to ‘Block the Bite’ whenever outdoors this summer and fall.”
Here's what you can do to prevent mosquitoes:
• Use insect repellent when outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus are proven to provide protection when used according to manufacturer’s recommendations. When also using sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first, let it dry, and then apply repellent.
• Limit time outdoors when mosquitoes are most active – during dusk and dawn hours.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in traditional mosquito habitat such as wooded areas or tall grass.
• Drain areas around the home that may hold water for five days or longer. Common sites include clogged gutters, pool covers, potted plant, bird baths and tire swings.
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