The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has released a communicable disease report that classifies a recent death in Laclede County as "probable West Nile Virus."
The report on the June 9 death was issued to the Laclede County Health Department (LCHD) after the CDC the diagnosis of the deceased, said Charla Baker, administrator for the LCHD. Before the CDC determines the cause of death and issues its communicable disease report, its staff considers several factors including symptoms, date of onset and more, Baker said.
The first case of West Nile appeared in Missouri 14 years ago, and the LCHD has investigated eight cases of it since 2006. The eight cases did not all end in deaths, Baker said.
"The case of West Nile Virus in Laclede County has not prompted us to change anything," said Kristi Campbell, director of the Cole County Health Department. "We always give out information about protection from mosquitoes and ticks during the summer months."
The first case of West Nile Virus in America was reported in 1999 from New York. The CDC classifies it as an arthropod-borne virus that is most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes. However, in a very small number of cases, West Nile Virus has been spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and from mother to baby during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent infection, but less than one percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurological illness, according to the CDC. About one in five people who are infected will develop symptoms. Symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes.
According to health officials, protections against mosquitoes include:
• Wearing protective clothing, especially when outdoors during dawn and dusk, covering as much skin as possible.
• Applying insect repellent containing DEET to clothing and exposed skin. Always follow the manufacturer's directions when using repellents.
• Making sure that doors and windows have screens and are in good repair.
• Eliminating standing water around your home/business (flowerpots, barrels, tires, gutters, birdbaths, pet bowls, wading pools, etc.).
• Keeping grass trimmed around your home and eliminating trash.