Medical experts said that prevention remains the key as several districts in the United States are alarmed over the spate in the presence of West Nile Virus in mosquito traps.
“Certainly we’re watching the trends very carefully as we work closely with abatement districts,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin of the Department of Health in a report.
In a report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the “most effective way to avoid West Nile virus disease is to prevent mosquito bites.”
These include the use of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents, wearing clothes that cover arms and legs, and use of screens on windows and doors, among others.
“The mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile will reproduce in small containers, children’s toys, garden pots anything that can hold water,” said North Shore Mosquito Abatement District Executive Director Mark Clifton in a report.
In Ohio alone, there were 122 reported cases where humans were inflicted by the virus, which is reportedly the highest since its outbreak back in 2012. Last year, there were 34 cases of reported human infliction, where one sadly did not survive.
West Nile Virus is known to cause fever and headache for mild cases but may also pose risks to one’s brain and spinal cord. For severe cases, it may even lead to death.
Experts say that adding to the already dangerous virus more deadly is the fact that people who are bitten with West Nile Virus-infected mosquitos will only develop symptoms between three to 21 days. Still, there are some who does not develop any symptom at all.
“People are most at risk of getting the virus summer through early fall, with most symptoms reported late July through early October,” a report read.
Symptoms may range from headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rashto as severe as high fever, vision loss, numbness, disorientation or muscle weakness.
“The West Nile virus in endemic in Ohio. It’s not going any where. We will always test for it,” said Miami County Public Health commissioner Dennis Propes in a report.