The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) is alerting the community to a concerning increase in West Nile virus (WNV) infections in Jefferson County.
To date, nine residents have been confirmed to have contracted the virus, with seven requiring hospitalization.
All individuals affected have been adults between the ages of 40 and 70. No deaths have been reported in Jefferson County related to WNV this year.
“We are seeing a higher-than-usual number of West Nile virus cases this season, and we urge residents to take mosquito prevention seriously,” said Connie Mendel, chief health strategist for LMPHW. “Assume mosquitoes are carrying West Nile virus no matter what ZIP code you live in. Please take precautions to avoid being bitten.”
Dr. Kris Bryant, pediatric infectious disease specialist and associate medical director for LMPHW, noted that in most instances people infected with WNV either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms. Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.
“Serious illness can occur in people of any age,” Dr. Bryant added. “However, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants are at greater risk for serious illness.”
Health officials recommend the following steps to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses:
Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks when outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk).
Eliminate standing water around your home—check flowerpots, gutters, pool covers, pet dishes, birdbaths, and discarded tires.
Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.