OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The first human case of West Nile Virus in Douglas County this year has been confirmed.
The Douglas County Health Department says the individual who contracted the virus was a male over 50 years old. He was not hospitalized.
Along with the human case, the Health Department says high populations of mosquitoes and multiple sample groups of infected mosquitoes have been discovered at a monitoring site near Zorinsky Lake Park and Seymour Smith Park.
West Nile Virus cases typically increase during late summer and early fall.
The Health Department says to protect yourself from mosquito bites you can:
· Apply a mosquito repellant containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Be sure to follow label instructions.
· 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.
To prevent mosquitoes from increasing where you live:
· Remove all standing water near your home,
· Empty buckets and pet dishes daily and bird baths on a weekly basis.
· Clear weeds and anything else that may obstruct water from draining properly.
· Follow proper swimming pool maintenance procedures and keep water moving in ponds or fountains.
Those who are infected with the virus typically have no symptoms or only mild symptoms such as a fever, rash or headache.
Less than one in 150 people will endure a serious illness. Those older than 50 and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to the disease.
