More County Pools Identified As Positive For West Nile Virus

Since July 19, 2016, several Holt County Pools have been identified as positive for the West Nile Virus. 

In a statement released today, the North Central Health Department cautioned residents that the virus has been detected in even more Holt County pools. 

According to the press release, "Additional positive mosquito pools have been detected in the North Central District Health jurisdiction.  This week positive pools have been detected in both Cherry and Holt County.  This is the first positive mosquito pool detected in Cherry County this season."

The press release also cautioned that mosquitoes will be active until the first hard freeze. Residents are advised to take the following precautions: 

• Applying an EPA approved mosquito repellant (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535). 
• Limiting exposure when outdoors by wearing long sleeve shirts and pants. 
• Limiting time spent outdoors during when Culex mosquitoes are most active, typically dusk to midnight. 
• Getting rid of standing water that mosquitoes may breed.

West Nile Virus is contracted through mosquitoes that have bitten an infected bird. Generally birds cannot pass the virus to humans.  West Nile Virus symptoms are flu-like and can include a slight fever or headache. Severe symptoms are not likely, but can lead to encephalitis, which can cause inflammation of the brain, disorientation, convulsions and paralysis. People over 50, infants, and pregnant women are especially susceptible to this disease. 

For more information call North Central District Health Department at 1-877-336-2406 or visit the DHHS Web site at:  http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/wnv.aspx.  North Central District Health Department serves Antelope, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Pierce, and Rock Counties.  Trapping sites for mosquitos are located in both Holt and Cherry county.