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First West Nile virus of 2023 in Montana identified in Blaine County mosquitoes – Daily Montanan [1]

['Blair Miller', 'More From Author', '- July']

Date: 2023-07 

Officials reported the first detection of West Nile virus in Montana this year in mosquitoes from Blaine County on Monday, though no human or equine cases have been confirmed.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services sent warning of the virus in the Montana mosquitoes as the state hits its hottest days of the year so far, which boost mosquito populations when there is enough water in the area for them to reproduce.

The virus can, in some cases, cause symptoms in humans including headaches, vomiting and rashes, but in more severe cases can lead to neuroinvasive West Nile, which can lead to severe outcomes like paralysis and death in humans.

The virus can cause neurological damage and death in horses. While there is a vaccine for the latter, there is no current treatment for the virus in humans.

DPHHS spokesperson Jon Ebelt said no humans or horses have tested positive for West Nile virus this year.

Two horses tested positive for the virus last year, but there were no reported human cases despite mosquitoes with the virus being found in Lewis and Clark, Blaine, Phillips and Dawson counties. In 2018, 51 human cases were reported, including one death.

DPHHS Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist Devon Cozart said in a statement that surveillance this year has found many the types of mosquito that carries and transmits West Nile Virus.

Cozart said the easiest way to prevent getting West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid being outside around dusk and dawn when the mosquitoes are most active, to use insect repellants that include DEET or picaridin, and to spray clothing and tents with permethrin.

DPHHS said people should also drain standing water around their homes to take away breeding grounds and to wear long sleeves and pants when in mosquito-prone areas to prevent against bites.

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[1] Url: https://dailymontanan.com/briefs/first-west-nile-virus-of-2023-in-montana-identified-in-blaine-county-mosquitoes/

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