5 cases of West Nile virus diagnosed in Louisville

According to the Kentucky Department of Public Health, five residents of Louisville have been diagnosed with West Nile virus.

Four of the cases were neuroinvasive, a serious form of the disease in which the virus attacks the brain or the tissues lining the brain and spinal cord, causing encephalitis or meningitis.

No patient from Louisville died of the disease in 2018.

"We are urging people to protect themselves from West Nile," said Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Subway Public Health and Wellness Department. You must wear an insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants if you go outside during the night and at dawn.

In most cases, people do not have any mild symptoms or symptoms of West Nile virus. Less than 1% of those infected develop a serious neurological disease. People over 60 years old and suffering from diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and transplant patients are at increased risk of serious illness.

"The massive amounts of rain we have seen over the last few days is leading to an increase in mosquito populations and we know that mosquitoes infected with West Nile are present throughout the community," said Moyer.

In 2017, there was a non-fatal case of West Nile Human in Louisville. In 2016, there were two human cases and one death. In 2015, there were three human cases without deaths.

The Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Department has implemented a mosquito control program to help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

To find out if your area is fogged or misty, call phone number 574-6641, or click here. To apply for mosquitoes in your area, call Metro Call at 311 or 574-5000.

The Department of Public Health and Wellness advises people to take the following precautions:

Avoid mosquito bites

• Use insect repellents when going outside. Repellents containing DEET, picaridine, IR3535 and lemon eucalyptus oil and para- menthane-diol products provide more durable protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents must be used according to the instructions on the label. More information on insect repellents can be found right here.
• When time permits, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks outdoors. Mosquitoes can bite themselves in fine clothes. Spraying clothing containing an insect repellent containing permethrin or another insect repellent approved by the EPA will provide additional protection. Do not apply repellents containing permethrin directly to the skin. Do not spray repellent on skin under your clothes.
• Take extra precautions during peak mosquito bites. Take extra precautions to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or avoid outdoor activities during these times.

Mosquito-Proof Your House

• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. Use your air conditioning, if you have one.
• Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by regularly emptying stagnant water from flower pots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and bird baths.

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