West Nile virus found in mosquitoes in Holt County

BY: North Central District Health Department

O’NEILL, Neb. - The North Central District Health Department (NCDHD) is alerting the public that mosquitoes collected near O’Neill in Holt County have tested positive for West Nile Virus. This summer, positive mosquito samples have also been found in Dakota, Red Willow, and Scottsbluff counties in Nebraska.

Finding infected mosquitoes means the virus is present in the area, and people could be at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes that carry it.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites:

· Avoid being outside during dusk and dawn—this is when mosquitoes are most active.

· If you need to be outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants.

· Use mosquito repellent that’s approved by the EPA, such as those containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.

· Dump out standing water around your home where mosquitoes can breed—like in buckets, flowerpots, or old tires.

West Nile Virus is spread through mosquito bites. Most people who are infected (8 out of 10) will not have any symptoms. Those who do become sick might feel like they have the flu—with fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or vomiting. People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness.

To learn more and see where West Nile activity has been reported, visit the Nebraska mosquito tracking dashboard.