2020 is like a Billy Mayes infomercial, just when you think we’ve seen it all,  2020 says “but wait, there’s more,”  like West Nile virus.

The Kent County Health Department, on Tuesday, released a press release indicating that West Nile Virus has been found mosquitoes here in Kent County

The three positive cases came from testing dead mosquitoes in the 49504 and 49525 zip codes, although infected mosquitoes can be anywhere around the area. So as you go to spend the Fourth of July outside keep that in mind because a lot like the coronavirus there’s no cure or vaccine for West Nile Virus; as the Kent County Health Department says the best treatment is prevention.

So with that said, there are a few things you can do to hopefully keep the mosquitoes away,

  • Wearing mosquito repellent between 10 - 35% DEET
  • Wear light-colored clothing and stay inside during dusk.
  • Also, make sure that mosquitoes don’t have any breeding area by removing or refreshing water in kid pools, dog bowls, and birdbath.  (ps, you should just refresh the dog water - they still need to drink)
  • You should also dump standing water in anything else (buckets, tires, etc.) so mosquitoes can multiply.

The sort of reassuring news is, only about 20% of people who are bit and infected with West Nile Virus will experience symptoms. Symptoms include a headache, body aches, joint pains, and fatigue.   Most people will recover although KCHD says the fatigue could last for a couple of weeks or even a few months. Only one and 150 people infected developed severe illness is taking affect the central nervous system. Still, be aware.

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