West Nile virus outbreak reported in Richland County. Here’s what to know
An outbreak of the West Nile virus is underway in Richland County following a rash of cases, state health officials declared Friday.
Six human cases have been reported in Richland County so far this year, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said Friday. The human cases were reported along with confirmations of the virus in birds and mosquitoes around the same time frame and geographic location.
“DHEC considers this an outbreak in progress and is urging Richland County and Midlands residents to use personal protective measures against mosquitoes, including repellents,” DHEC said in its statement.
Protective measures include:
▪ Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls.
▪ Repellents help keep mosquitoes from biting. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone according to label instructions.
▪ Wearing light-colored clothing that covers skin, reducing the risk of bites.
▪ Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.
State epidemiologist Linda Bell said in DHEC’s statement that most people who get infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms.
“However, the risk of serious illness such as encephalitis, a potentially fatal inflammation of the brain, though it occurs in less than 1% of people infected, is reason enough for residents in Richland County to take this alert seriously and take the precautions advised,” Bell said.
Bell recommends contacting a health care provider a fever or other symptoms develop after a mosquito bite
What are the symptoms of West Nile virus disease?
▪ No symptoms in most people. Most people, between 70-80%, who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms.
▪ Febrile illness in some people. About one in five people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms, such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue, weakness or other complications can last for weeks or months.
▪ Severe symptoms in a few people. Fewer than 1% of people who are infected will develop a serious neurological illnesses, such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). The symptoms of neurological illnesses can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis.
For more information, visit SCDHEC.gov/mosquitoes.
This story was originally published September 9, 2022 at 1:57 PM with the headline "West Nile virus outbreak reported in Richland County. Here’s what to know."
