First West Nile Virus Case Reported in Linn County

Remember to put on that mosquito repellent this weekend.

Linn County has the dubious distinction of being the first county in Iowa to record a case of West Nile virus this year.

From Radio Iowa:

The Iowa Department of Public Health is confirming the first human case of West Nile virus in the state this year.

“The person who become ill is a middle-aged male in Linn County,” State Medical Director Doctor Patricia Quinlisk says. “Fortunately, he is recovering. We do know that there are some people who can become very sick with this and unfortunately in the past we have had some deaths. So, we want everybody to take precautions, especially since we’re going into a holiday weekend.”

There were was one reported case in Linn County in 2012, and, Iowa as a whole had 31 reported cases of West Nile Virus, which is  he most since 2006. That was during a drought year that dampened the population of mosquitos, a main carrier of West Nile Virus. 

With the soggy spring and flooding conditions across Iowa, scientists are already predicting "a bumper crop" of mosquitos later this year.

The Iowa Department of Public Health recommends the following steps to prevent West Nile virus transmission.

Iowans should take the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus:

• Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products on children. For example, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old.

• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes, and socks whenever possible outdoors.

• Eliminate standing water around the home because that’s where mosquitoes lay eggs. Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers and pet water dishes. Change water in bird baths every three to four days.