Mecklenburg Mosquito Pool Tests Positive for West Nile as 23 States Report Virus in 10 Years
Updated
Updated · WBTV · Jul 20
Mecklenburg Mosquito Pool Tests Positive for West Nile as 23 States Report Virus in 10 Years
3 articles · Updated · WBTV · Jul 20
Summary
A Mecklenburg County mosquito pool collected July 14 tested positive for West Nile virus, and county health officials reported July 20 that no human cases have been identified.
County health officials urged residents to cut exposure by using EPA-registered repellent, draining standing water weekly, repairing window and door screens, and covering up at dusk and dawn.
West Nile is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the United States; most infections cause no symptoms, but severe cases can damage the central nervous system.
Adults over 60 and people with underlying conditions or weakened immune systems face the highest risk, and there is no human vaccine or curative treatment once infection occurs.
Federal officials said earlier in July that more than 23 states had detected West Nile virus—the highest count in 10 years—while the CDC says about 2,000 U.S. cases are diagnosed each year.