North Platte, Nebraska – The West Central District Health Department confirmed that a mosquito pool in Lincoln County
has tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV). This time of year (August to September) is the statistically most
likely time of the year that positive West Nile samples are collected and reported. The health department is advising
residents to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NE DHHS), human WNV infections follow in the
wake of positive mosquito pools, with a spike around Labor Day and dwindling away around mid-September.
Roughly 80 percent of people infected with WNV are asymptomatic. The remaining 2 out of 10 people
could possibly experience fever, rash, headache fatigue, and joint pain. Symptom onset typically ranges 3 to 14 days after being bitten
by an infected mosquito.
In rare cases, WNV can cause severe disease leading to potential muscle weakness, stiff neck,
disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and coma. Older adults and people with compromised immune systems
are at a greater risk of experiencing more severe symptoms. There is not a specific treatment for WNV. Symptomatic
supportive care is provided when appropriate.
For the current WNV season, the jurisdiction of West Central District Health Department, has had only one positive WNV
mosquito pool (week ending August 12th) and one lab confirmed human case of West Nile Virus (week ending August
26th).
West Central District Health Department is recommending that people avoid being outside at dusk and dawn when
mosquitoes are most active and to protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing lightweight protective clothing
(including long-sleeved shirts and long pants) and by using an insect repellent containing DEET, IR3535, Oil of Eucalyptus
or Picaridin. West Central District Health Department provides free DEET and Non-DEET wipes for residents.
Residents are encouraged to periodically drain containers and other standing or stagnant water around their homes to
disrupt the breeding cycle of mosquitoes.
For the current 2023 WNV season, surveillance began in May and will continue through the end of September. Weekly
WNV reports can be found by visiting the NE DHHS WNV Surveillance Data webpage:
For more information, visit www.wcdhd.org or call 301-696-1201
Additional Information:
CDC West Nile Virus Website: https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/symptoms/index.html
