First West Nile deaths confirmed in state

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human received reports of two recent deaths in the Central Nebraska region that have been attributed to West Nile Virus. In the last five years, Nebraska has seen an average of six WNV deaths per year.

WNV can occur in people of any age but people over 50 years of age or older, or with compromised immune systems, are at the greatest risk for severe illness. Mild signs or symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Severe signs or symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions and paralysis.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. Approximately one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. Approximately one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

DHHS encourages Nebraskans to take these preventive steps to "fight the bite" and avoid mosquito bites.

Use Insect Repellent

Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients listed below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Active ingredients may include DEET, Picaridin (known as KBR 3023), IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone

Dress appropriately

Use 0.5% permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.

Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.

Do not use permethrin products directly on the skin.

Precautions at dawn and dusk

Dawn and dusk are when mosquitoes are most active.

Control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors

Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.

Use air conditioning, if available.

Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water.

Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots or trash containers.

Check for water-holding containers both indoors and outdoors.

More information about WNV and risk reduction can be found at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Mosquito-Borne-Disease-Prevention.aspx.