DARLINGTON - The Lafayette County Health Department is warning people to protect themselves against West Nile virus and encephalitis due to wet conditions that create breeding habitats for mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes spread the disease by feeding on infected birds. Crows, blue jays and ravens are carriers of the virus, which can infect humans.
An estimated 80 percent of people infected with the virus do not experience symptoms. Most of the rest become mildly ill. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and swollen lymph nodes.
About 1 in 150 people become seriously ill. Those most at-risk are older than 50.
There is no vaccine or treatment for the disease, but steps can be taken to reduce the chances of getting it, including:
• Limiting outdoor activity during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are prevalent.
• Wearing long-sleeve shirts, pants, socks and shoes.
• Using an insect repellent containing DEET.
People also should limit breeding areas for mosquitoes by eliminating standing water in used tires, plastic wading pools, bird baths and rain gutters.
Mosquitoes spread the disease by feeding on infected birds. Crows, blue jays and ravens are carriers of the virus, which can infect humans.
An estimated 80 percent of people infected with the virus do not experience symptoms. Most of the rest become mildly ill. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and swollen lymph nodes.
About 1 in 150 people become seriously ill. Those most at-risk are older than 50.
There is no vaccine or treatment for the disease, but steps can be taken to reduce the chances of getting it, including:
• Limiting outdoor activity during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are prevalent.
• Wearing long-sleeve shirts, pants, socks and shoes.
• Using an insect repellent containing DEET.
People also should limit breeding areas for mosquitoes by eliminating standing water in used tires, plastic wading pools, bird baths and rain gutters.