The Oklahoma State Department of Health has confirmed that a southwest Oklahoma resident has become the state’s first case and death from West Nile Virus (WNV) in 2024.
OSDH says the person had been hospitalized prior to his death.
According to OSDH, WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and in Oklahoma, WNV is most often spread by “Culex” mosquitoes, which feed on infected birds.
OSDH says this type of mosquito increases in the mid-to-late summer when temperatures are warmer and drier.
OSDH officials are reminding the public to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Tips to avoid mosquito bites and prevent WNV:
- When you are outdoors, use repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin and clothing, especially between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most likely to bite. Use repellents containing permethrin only on clothing.
- Repair or install screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
- Keep buckets, cans, pool covers, flower pots, children’s toys, tires, etc. from collecting water to prevent them from becoming breeding sites for mosquitoes.
- Empty and refill your pet’s outdoor water bowl daily.
- Bird baths should be cleaned and refilled with water every three days.
- Regularly clear leaves and debris from your gutters to keep them from clogging.
What are the symptoms of WNV?
According to OSDH, “The majority of people infected with WNV will likely not experience any symptoms after infection, but if symptoms do occur, they are often mild and may include sudden fever, headache, dizziness and muscle weakness.”
Recovery usually occurs within one to three weeks.
People over 50, those with diabetes, or those with uncontrolled high blood pressure are at higher risk of developing serious neurological disease from WNV infection. When the disease affects the nervous system, it can cause confusion, disorientation, loss of consciousness, paralysis, stiff neck, and coma.
Long-term complications of WNV infection include difficulty concentrating, migraines, headaches, extreme muscle weakness and tremors, and paralysis of the hands and feet. There is no vaccine or treatment for the disease. The best defense is to take measures to avoid mosquito bites.”
For more information about WNV, visit the OSDH website: West Nile Virus (oklahoma.gov).
