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Jamie Joachimowski, an environmental scientist from Delaware Mosquito Control, talks about mosquito prospects for July.
Jason N Minto, the news newspaper

West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites.(Photo: Steven Ellingson / EyeEm, Getty Images / EyeEm)

The state has confirmed that the West Nile virus has hospitalized a third Dalai'a, raising fears among the health authorities to further infect the mosquito season.

This is the highest number of West Nile cases in the last three years, officials said. The state believes that there may be a fourth case, but waits for laboratory results to confirm.

Last year, only one case involving West Nile was confirmed in a woman from Kent County. This was the first case in two years. The worst year that health officials could recall was 2012, when the virus was diagnosed in nine Delawareans.

The virus can be fatal. It is particularly difficult for older people whose immune systems are weakened. About 80% of those infected with the virus will not get sick. Less than 20% of those infected will develop West Nile fever with mild symptoms. One of the 150 infected people will develop a serious infection, which can include meningitis.

There are no human vaccines, but there are some for horses.

The most recent case in Delaware has been confirmed in a 73-year-old New Castle man who has been hospitalized since the end of August. the Other cases involved a 60-year-old man from Sussex County and a 68-year-old man from New Castle County.

"It's early in the season, and we still have six weeks left before we go to the top," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Public Health Division. "Many people have dropped their guard after the summer."

Rattay said older people with weakened immune systems tend to suffer the most severe consequences of the virus.

The only way for a person to get West Nile virus is to get bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, officials said. The best way to avoid this is to apply an EPA approved insect repellent and to cover the arms and legs on the outside, she said.

Delaware is one of 45 states that have reported West Nile infections in people, birds and mosquitoes this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 230 cases have been reported throughout the country.

This summer, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has seen an increase in the virus in wild birds and sentinel chickens, officials said. The large amount of rain that Delaware experienced in the spring and summer resulted in an increase in mosquito activity.

This month, the Mosquito Section has discovered the first positive Eastern Equine Encephalitis sentinel chicken at a station in Sussex County.

Equine encephalitis is more serious and rarer than West Nile virus, health officials said. Viruses are usually transmitted by mosquitoes in summer and autumn, the peak season being from mid-August to mid-October.

West Nile virus has also been confirmed in two horses in Kent County.

Symptoms in humans include headache, body aches, rash on the chest or back, and swollen lymph nodes, health officials said. Those who experience these symptoms should consult their doctor immediately.

DELAWARE HEALTH

According to the CDC, the "kissing" virus could be in Delaware. Others do not think.

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Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or [email protected] and on Twitter @MereNewman.

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