Douglas County Suffers First 2012 West Nile Death

Douglas County has recorded the year’s first death due to the West Nile virus.  The victim was a man more than 65 years old, Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. The man had traveled to Texas before getting sick with the disease. He had been hospitalized and was making progress against the illness.

“We are saddened to hear of this man’s passing,” Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “Let this serve as a reminder that everyone should follow the recommendations for protecting yourself from mosquito bites.”  

      People get infected by the West Nile virus after they are bitten by mosquitoes that have been feeding on an infected bird.

To help avoid mosquito bites:

• Apply a mosquito repellant that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Make sure to use the repellant according to label instructions.
• If you do not like to apply insect repellant, minimize your activities outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts, plus pants, shoes and socks when you are outdoors.
• Remove standing water from near your home or report it to the Douglas County Health Department. That includes emptying buckets, pet water dishes and changing bird bath water.

While Douglas County has experienced a hot and mostly dry summer, Dr. Pour pointed out the conditions remain good for the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus since they breed in permanent water.

Most people who are infected by a mosquito have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms and less than one of 150 people who are bitten by an infected mosquito and then get ill will have a serious illness. People over 50 years of age and others with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to the disease and are more likely to suffer serious consequences.

“The West Nile season won’t end until the first hard frost, so we need to continue to protect ourselves from mosquito bites,” Dr. Pour said.

For more information about West Nile Virus, click here.