Health Department  

West Nile Virus

“It is time to once again be alert to West Nile Virus Disease,” states David Ezzell, Environmental Health Supervisor.  “Mosquitoes get infected with West Nile virus (WNV) when they bite infected birds or animals.  People, then, get infected when an infected mosquito bites them."

Anyone who suspects that they are ill with West Nile Disease should see his or her health care provider.  There is no cure, but the symptoms can be treated. Most people infected with WNV have no significant symptoms.   It takes between 5 and 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito for a person to become ill.   Symptoms include flu-like symptoms such as headaches, swollen glands, and muscle aches.  Often there is a rash.  In rare cases, West Nile Disease can cause an infection of the brain.

"The people of Stanly County can reduce their risk of contracting WNV by decreasing mosquito breeding areas and by not getting bit by mosquitoes,” states David Ezzell.  “The mosquitoes most likely to transmit WNV don’t travel more than 500 yards away from their breeding area.”   

Some ways to prevent mosquito-breeding areas are:

              -empty or cover containers like tires, cans, buckets, trash cans, catch basins,
                and bottles                
              -change water in pet bowls, bird baths and children’s swimming/wading  pool twice a
                week
              -remove or empty dishes under potted plants
              -cover unused pools, canoes, and boats
              -clean clogged rain gutters and black plastic drain pipes
              -cover hot tubs, rain barrels, and wood piles
              -fill in tree and root holes with soil or sand
              -remove unused refrigerators, freezers, and autos from your yard
              -put Mosquito dunks in small ponds, retention ponds, or standing water to kill
               mosquito larvae

  Ways to avoid mosquito bites include:

-wear long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants
            -avoid places that have a lot of mosquitoes
            -avoid being outdoors when there is a lot of mosquitoes (around dawn and dusk)
            -use repellents to prevent mosquito bites.

For more information about West Nile Disease, contact the Stanly County Health Department Environmental Health Program at 704-986-3675.

*Recommendations for the use of personal insect repellents 
Source:  NC DHHS Division of Public Health  

Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective mosquito repellents on the market.  When used properly along with other steps such as wearing light-colored long sleeve tops and pants, avoiding mosquito-infested areas, and staying indoors at dawn and dusk, repellents are a good way to decrease the risk of mosquito bites. Remember to always read and carefully follow the label directions.

Children under 6 months of age
DO NOT use personal insect repellents on babies under 6 months of age.  Other ways to protect babies from mosquitoes are to dress infants in long-sleeved shirts and pants and place mesh covers over strollers.

Children 6 months to less than 2 years of age
*Use only one application per day of a DEET product made for children (10% DEET or less)
  and only in situations where there is a risk of insect bites.
*Apply the repellent sparingly
*Do not apply to child's face and hands
*Avoid prolonged use
*Wash the child's treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors

Children between 2 years and 12 years
*Use DEET product made for children containing 10% DEET or less
*Do not apply more than three times per day
*Apply the repellent sparingly
*Do not apply to child's face and hands
*Wash the child's treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors

Adults and children age 12 and older
*Use products containing 30% DEET or less
*Apply the repellent sparingly
*To apply to face, spray on hands first and then rub on face.  Do not spray directly onto face.
*After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.

This page was last updated on 08/20/07 .