The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reports the state’s first death from West Nile virus. Test results indicate that a man in his eighties from the Panhandle died from the virus the end of July.
"My sympathies are with the family," said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Division of Public Health. "Older people are the most at risk from the serious consequences of West Nile."
So far the state has 46 cases of West Nile reported from 27 counties. New cases have been reported from Antelope, Dawson, Madison, Rock, Scotts Bluff (3) and Thomas counties. These counties have also reported cases: Adams, Boone, Buffalo, Cedar, Clay, Dodge, Douglas, Dundy, Furnas, Garden, Hall, Harlan, Knox, Lancaster, Lincoln, Perkins, Platte, Saunders, Seward, Thayer and Webster counties.
West Nile is spread by the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird.
"This is the time of year that mosquitoes are loaded with virus and are more actively biting people," Dr. Schaefer said. "It’s important to take precautions."
To avoid mosquito bites, DHHS recommends:
Applying mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus;
Wearing long-sleeved shirt, pants and socks;
Avoiding going out at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active; and
Eliminating standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
There were 264 human cases of the disease reported last year, with two deaths. This compares to 188 in 2005 (five deaths), 57 in 2004 (no deaths), 2,366 in 2003 (29 deaths) and 174 in 2002 (eight deaths). There were no cases prior to 2002, the year the disease found its way to Nebraska from the East Coast.
Most people who are infected by a mosquito have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms. Less than one out of 150 people who get bitten by an infected mosquito and become infected will get seriously ill. However, people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to the disease and are more likely to experience serious consequences.
West Nile fever includes flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle weakness. Symptoms of the more serious West Nile encephalitis include inflammation of the brain, disorientation, convulsions and paralysis.-Nebraska DHHS
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