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GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – The Central District Health Department announced Monday that it has found West Nile virus in a mosquito in Hall County. It was discovered during a study that they perform twice a month.
The Central District Health Department announced Monday that it has found West Nile virus in a mosquito in Hall County. (Credit: Alicia Naspretto, KSNB)
Every two weeks, they collect a sample of mosquitoes, find the types able to carry the West Nile virus and test them later.
"There is only one specific species carrying West Nile virus, not all mosquitoes," said Nathan Kush, Environmental Health Specialist at the Central District Health Department. "Currently, most of our mosquitoes are technically harmful, so they are not threatened by the transfer of West Nile, they are simply meant to give us a good idea of the nature of the mosquitoes we have in the area. and the growth of their population. "
Mosquitoes can catch the virus by pricking infected birds. They can then pbad it on to humans also through bites.
Local doctors say the contraction is not as scary as it may seem and only 20% of people who get it have symptoms.
"Patients who contract the West Nile virus but do not have symptoms, our immune system is taking care of the virus and they will never know they are," said Dr. Matthew Treaster of CHI Health St Francis. "People who develop West Nile virus often have mild symptoms: mild fever, possibly a headache, muscle aches and fatigue, which can last from a week to two weeks, their symptoms disappear. and they are not wiser. "
Dr. Treaster also said that the virus did not lead to more serious illness than in about 1 in 150 people.
It is always recommended to avoid mosquito bites. This means wearing pants or long sleeves on the outside, especially at dusk or dawn, when mosquitoes are more likely to come out.
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