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Last updated on Tuesday, July 15, 2014
(DUBOIS CO.) - Dubois County Health Department Environmental Specialist Shawn Werner issued a press release warning that the West Nile Virus has now been found in Dubois County.
This comes on the heels of a State Department Health announcement that say infected mosquitoes were found in Pike County.
Werner says that everyone needs to be vigilant to help prevent getting the illness by draining all standing water on property and protect self with an insect repellant containing DEET.
A person who is bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms from 3 to 15 days after the bite. Health officials say that individuals over age 50 and the young and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious illness.
There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus, and no vaccine is available for humans.
You should see a doctor immediately if you develop symptoms such as the following:
In humans, symptoms generally occur three to 15 days following the bite of an infected mosquito.
Mild cases of West Nile encephalitis may cause a slight fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, conjunctivitis (irritation of the eye), or headache. Patients with mild symptoms are likely to recover completely and do not require any specific medication or laboratory testing.
More severe infections are marked by rapid onset of a high fever with head and body aches, stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most severe cases, coma or paralysis. In some individuals, West Nile Virus can cause permanent neurological damage or death.
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