Local officials warn of WNV threat in area

With reported cases of the West Nile Virus being found in mosquitoes in nearby Jefferson County, Jasper County health officials are warning of the threat here as well.

Jasper-Newton County Health District Administrator Danny Brackin said the area has not been tested.

"We don't have anybody testing like they have in Jefferson County but you can almost bet there are some infected mosquitoes around here as well," Brackin said.

Mosquitoes taken on June 12 from Corley and 11th streets as well as two other areas in Beaumont tested positive for West Nile for the second time in a month, officials from the Jefferson County Mosquito Control District said last week.

Mosquito samples from Cable Avenue and Interstate 10 and Cleveland and Monroe streets also tested positive for West Nile.

Lee Chastant, Jefferson County Mosquito Control District director, said mosquitoes in these areas test positive for West Nile, "year after year."

According to the Center for Disease Control, WNV is a potentially serious illness and experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall.

Brackin said the best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.

"When you are outdoors, use insect repellents containing an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, Brackin said.

According to Brackin, many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.

He also recommended getting rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flowerpots, buckets and barrels.

"Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly," Brackin said. "Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used."

According to CDC, about one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

Milder symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting.

These symptoms may last several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent.

There is no vaccine to prevent humans from getting WNV.

Most often, WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds and spread the disease when they bite humans and animals.

Last year, human cases of the disease were confirmed in Orange, Jefferson and Jasper counties.