Local West Nile Virus Raises Some Concerns

by Intern | October 4, 2017 9:53 pm

By: Samantha Flavell

Oswego County Today intern

OSWEGO – Recently, Oswego County Health Director Jiancheng Huang confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus in Oswego this year.

The virus has also been detected in the county several times the past several years.

The virus is spread to humans by mosquito bites.

According to Centers for Disease Control, cases have been reported in all of the continental United States.

The report of the virus in this area has raised some concerns among students on the SUNY Oswego campus.

“It’s scary how western medicine still can’t defeat old diseases,” SUNY Oswego Junior Cliff-Simon Vital said.

SUNY Oswego students have been back in classes for more than a month. Some are now worried about what possible health concerns they may come across because of the appearance of West Nile in the area.

McKennan Walton, a SUNY Oswego student went so far as to say she is scared.

Residents of Oswego County can take solace in the fact that according to the CDC, there are instances in which only about 1 in 150 people who are infected with West Nile will develop a serious and possibly fatal illness.

In general, most people who are infected have no symptoms and those who do only 1 in 5 will develop a fever and other symptoms.

In most people, West Nile virus causes no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems and in rare instances can lead to death, the health director said. Individuals aged 50 and older are at highest risk for serious illness, he added.

According to Huang, the person who was diagnosed with West Nile Virus has been released from the hospital and was recovering at home.

While the local case is disturbing, the Oswego County Health Department is concerned with helping residents lower their risk of being exposed to mosquitoes which may be carrying viruses.

Huang urges residents to use mosquito repellent, wear protective clothing such as long pants and long sleeves when outside for long periods of time especially during the hours between dawn and dusk.

Symptoms include, high fever, muscle pain, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, disorientation and a headache.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

For more information on how to better protect yourself and family against mosquito’s residents may call the health department at 315-349-3564 or visit www.health.ny.gov/diseases/west_nile_virus/

 

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/local-west-nile-virus-raises-some-concerns/

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