The Oklahoma County Health Department has confirmed two cases of the West Nile Virus (WNV), marking the first reported infections in the area this season, as reported by KFOR. WNV is recognized as the leading mosquito-borne illness in the United States with most individuals who become infected showing no symptoms, however, roughly 20% may experience fever, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, a report by NewsOn6 explains.
In more severe cases, affecting about one in 150 people, the virus can cause encephalitis or meningitis the Oklahoma City County Health Department says, suggesting preventive measures such as using DEET-containing insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants while outdoors staying vigilant in keeping windows closed and repairing screens to avoid mosquitoes entering the home. With the peak of mosquito season upon us, residents are urged to eliminate any standing water that can serve as breeding grounds for these insects which could potentially carry the virus.
As part of combatting the spread of WNV, Barry Christensen, operations manager at Thunder Pest Control, has shared some effective methods for mosquito control in an interview with KOCO. These include maintaining short grass lengths and removing standing water – a challenge this time of year due to increased rainfall – yet doing so can substantially reduce the mosquito population.
For those opting to treat their yards autonomously, Christensen advises using the appropriate supplies and focusing on areas where mosquitoes are prone to congregate such as bushes, shrubbery, and downspouts and if self-treatment doesn't suffice, he recommends seeking professional services adding, "It does work, it does knock them down quite a bit," and emphasizing that the cost of pest control could outweigh the potential hospital expenses from contracting West Nile virus, as mentioned on KOCO.
