USGS Wildlife Veterinarian testing an American crow for previous exposure to the West Nile Virus (Photo courtesy of US Geological Survey)
We’re heading into West Nile virus season.
Rebecca Williams reports experts say it’s now a
seasonal epidemic:
Transcript
We’re heading into West Nile virus season.
Rebecca Williams reports experts say it’s now a
seasonal epidemic:
West Nile virus is at its peak between mid-July and mid-September.
You can get infected from a single mosquito bite.
Most people who get infected won’t get a serious case of it. But people
over 50 have a higher risk of getting really sick. The virus can cause
high fever, paralysis and even death.
Dr. Lyle Petersen is with the Centers for Disease Control. He says West
Nile Virus is here to stay. And he says even if your area hasn’t had an
outbreak recently, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
“We really can’t predict exactly when and where these outbreaks are
going to occur so everybody needs to take precautions.”
He says you should use insect repellants, repair window screens, and
drain standing water around your house.
For The Environment Report I’m Rebecca Williams.