West Nile Death Toll Increases
Filed by Michael Cross in Feature, Health, Local News, News.
August 16, 2012
The State Health Department says three people have now died from West Nile virus and 61 cases of the disease with 39 labeled as neuro-invasive.
Two of the three deaths originated in Oklahoma County where officials with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department are urging people to be precautious.
Public Health Specialist Matt Brosh says the first line of defense is avoid the insects carrying the disease: mosquitoes.
“Dusk till dawn is where you’re going to see most of them, the majority of them. Make sure people are wearing long sleeves, I know it’s hot right now, but that’s something else they can do to help prevent and wear mosquito repellent with DEET in it.”
Health officials say with rain currently in the forecast avoid standing water where mosquitoes are known to breed.
Symptoms of West Nile include inability to walk, mental confusion and disorientation and some might be unable to speak, lose vision or hearing, or suffer paralysis in arms and legs.
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I work in a precast concrete plant and we have our overhead doors open anytime the weather will allow to help cool the plant off. But mosquitoes are a big problem for us. I would point that out to any manufacturing companies. Mosquitoes seem to love coming in out of the sun and bothering us.