Six cases of West Nile virus reported in Arkansas and two reported cases of Lyme disease – News – Hot Springs Village Voice

Six cases of West Nile virus were reported this year in Arkansas and two cases of locally acquired Lyme disease.

At least one of the West Nile virus cases is believed to be from the Fort Smith area. The City of Fort Smith operates dump trucks from April to the end of October.

Meg Mirivel, spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Health, noted that the agency had observed between nine and 18 West Nile virus cases a year in Arkansas over the past five years. There were 64 cases of West Nile in Arkansas in 2012.

"We know that mosquitoes and ticks, combined, spread various serious diseases, so we encourage Arkansans to use an insect repellent on the outside," Mirivel wrote.

The greatest number of tick-related diseases come from rickettsiosis with spotted fever. There have been 806 cases in Arkansas so far this year. Last year, there were 1,218 cases and more than 800 cases in the previous three years. Erlichiosis, another tick-related disease, has been high in the last five years: 165 in 2013; 193 in 2015; 204 in 2016; 207 in 2017 and 141 so far this year.

In the last six years, the year 2018 has experienced the least number of mosquito – related diseases. There have been 10 so far. Ten mosquito-related diseases were reported to DHA in 2011; 69 in 2012; 23 in 2013; 29 in 2014; 32 in 2015; 38 in 2016; and 24 in 2017.

Mirivel points out, however, that sometimes reports are delayed. So, there could still be more cases reported in the colder months.

The Fort Smith Street and Traffic Control Department uses an EPA approved chemical with mineral oil to "vaporize" the mixture in the air during the evening hours and at night, when people are fewer. Spraying only controls adult mosquitoes.

"The best effort to reduce mosquitoes is to prevent the outbreak of new mosquitoes," says the city's website. "Mosquito larvae need stagnant water for five to seven days to hatch. Even small amounts of water, such as a bird bath, a clogged gutter or a bucket, are enough. Citizens should do their utmost to eliminate stagnant water. If stagnant water can not be removed, it is helpful to stir stagnant water every three or four days. "

West Nile virus is rarely fatal in humans, adds the website of the city.

"The risk of contracting the disease is very low and less than 1% of those who contract the virus are seriously ill," says the website of the city. "The most vulnerable people with potentially serious effects are the elderly, the very young and those whose immune systems are weakened.West West Nile virus is not transmissible from one person to the next. other."