South Carolina’s first case of West Nile Virus for 2018 has been identified in the Pee Dee region.
A press release from the Department of Health and Environmental Control says a person in the Pee Dee region has been identified as the first person reported to be sick with the West Nile Virus in South Carolina this year.
According to DHEC, the symptoms of West Nile Virus include febrile illness in some people and severe symptoms in others.
“About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash,” the release states. Most people with this type of West Nile Virus “recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.”
“Less than 1% of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis,” the release also says. “The symptoms of neurologic illness can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis.”
“If you develop fever or other symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito, you should contact your health care provider, says Dr. Linda Bell, a SC State Epidemiologist.
DHEC says the following can be done prevent mosquito-borne illness:
– Repellents help keep mosquitoes from biting. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions.
– Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.
– Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls.
– Wearing light-colored clothing to cover the skin reduces the risk of bites.
For more information about West Nile Virus and mosquito bites, visit DHEC’s website.
