GOOSE CREEK, S.C.–According to Joint Base Charleston officials, mosquitoes recently captured at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek have tested positive for the West Nile virus.
The tests on the mosquitoes were performed at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine in Ohio.
The only way to get the virus is from the bite of an infected mosquito.
At this time, no cases of the illness in people have been reported by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The West Nile virus is an illness that can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. However, most people (70‐80%) who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms.
In some people, about 25% of those infected may have a mild illness that includes fever, headache and body ache, sometimes accompanied by a rash or swollen lymph glands.
In less than 1% of the people infected, the severe form of encephalitis will be experienced. Symptoms of the encephalitis could include high fever, convulsions, stiff neck, tremors, headache, coma, stupor, disorientation, muscle weakness or paralysis. In a very few cases, mostly among the elderly, death may occur.
According to SCDHEC, there are several things people can do to help prevent the disease:
- Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants when you go outside
- Stay inside at mosquito feeding time; dawn, dusk and early evening
- Spray clothing with a mosquito repellant
- Apply insect repellant to exposed skin
- Report any dead birds you find
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