WINSLOW, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) says the number one mosquito-borne virus Natural State residents need to be concerned about is the West Nile Virus.
So far, there are two confirmed cases of West Nile Virus here in Arkansas. In neighboring states, the cases sit higher, such as 41 cases in Texas and 25 in Mississippi.
With Labor Day coming up and the football season just around the corner, it's important to take precautions as people will be going outdoors.
According to the CDC, August and September is peak time for West Nile cases in the country. Arkansas usually gets as many as 30 cases every year.
The ADH said these mosquitoes are typically out at dusk and dawn and are near bodies of water. The water can even be as small as a bottle cap where they lay their eggs. It's best to dump any pools of water laying on tarps and in buckets after it rains.
While not always bothersome, it’s still important to be cautious.
Dr. Laura Rothfeldt at ADH says one in five people show symptoms and can range from mild to severe.
"The mild illness resolves in about a week. It's just really kind of feeling like you have the flu, but over the summertime. About one in 150, so less than 1% will develop neurological disease. So it may cause some inflammation in and around their brain," Dr. Rothfeldt said.
"That can make people become hospitalize on occasion. But very rarely will a person end up dying from West Nile Virus. That's absolutely not very common," Dr. Rothfeldt added.
If you are outdoors, Dr. Rothfeldt encourages you to protect yourself with long sleeves and pants, especially if you're doing any type of activity or yardwork near standing water. She also recommends wearing EPA-approved repellents and reapplying every few hours.
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