The virus was recorded as a positive case in St. Louis on July 17, marking the county’s first recorded detection of the virus in 2024.
St. Louis County, Missouri — The Village of Vinita Park is St. Louis County’s first West Nile virus (WNV) positive mosquitoes in 2024County health officials announced that on Wednesday.
Mosquitoes are St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) A surveillance system has been set up in the county. The first positive WNV mosquito was found in Vinita Park, but officials said the virus could be found throughout the county during the summer. In 2023, officials told 5 On Your Side, nine human cases of WNV and one death from WNV have been recorded.
“The discovery of West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes in our region is a reminder that preventative measures are important,” said DPH Director Dr. Kanika Cunningham. “While humans rarely become seriously ill from West Nile virus infection, it is important to minimize the risk of infection. You can minimize your risk of infection by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites and denying mosquitoes the opportunity to breed and multiply.”
DPH said in a news release that about 1 in 150 people infected develop severe illness and in some cases death. There is no vaccine to treat the virus. Those at highest risk for severe illness from the virus include adults over 50, people with compromised immune systems and people with chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease. It is also very unlikely that women can transmit WNV to their babies during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
According to DPH, there are a variety of measures people can take to prevent WNV infection, including:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and loose-fitting light-colored clothing.
- Use an insect repellent that contains either DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, paramenthanediol, or IR3535.
- Remove all sources of standing water around your home at least once a week. Treat other water sources, such as birthing baths, decorative ponds, and other sources that cannot be drained, with Bti, a naturally occurring bacteria that targets mosquito larvae.
- Repair torn door and window screens.
