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West Nile Virus Shows Up in W.Va
By: Associated Press
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) – Health officials say the West Nile virus has shown up in mosquito pools in Cabell County and Huntington.
The Cabell-Huntington Health Department says sporadic cases of West Nile virus occur each year in West Virginia, but the recent positive test results are the first for 2015.
The mosquito-borne disease can cause symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea and body rash. Many people who are exposed to the virus might not show any symptoms, but some can develop serious illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.
Health officials urge people to take precautions that include wearing long sleeves and long pants outdoors, using insect repellants, removing standing water around their homes, and staying indoors during peak mosquito hours – typically around dawn and dusk.