最新杏吧原创

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued a warning late Thursday, urging residents to take precautions, such as wearing insect repellant with DEET and eliminating standing water around homes, which is where mosquitoes breed.

鈥淲est Nile virus is a serious public health concern, and this year鈥檚 increase in cases is a reminder that we must remain vigilant,鈥� said Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist at DHSS. 鈥淲e are asking all Missourians to take simple but effective steps to protect themselves and their families.鈥�

Infection from the virus often causes no symptoms, but about one in five people develop a flu-like illness with fever, headache or body aches. In rare cases, especially in older adults or people with weakened immune systems, it can cause serious problems like swelling of the brain or spinal cord, or paralysis.

As of Oct. 4, according to DHSS, the state has seen 16 reported human cases of West Nile virus this year, resulting in 15 hospitalizations and three deaths. The cases are scattered across the state, from Jackson County to 最新杏吧原创.

鈥淭hese figures represent the highest levels of [West Nile Virus] activity in the state in recent years,鈥� the warning stated.

Though shows other years have had more cases than the current count, DHSS Spokeswoman Lisa Cox says 鈥渟everal鈥� more cases are under investigation. State health officials are also notified when the virus is detected in blood donations, and those reports are higher this year.

鈥淲e are on a clear trajectory to have a rise this year,鈥� Cox said.

West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the contiguous United States. Each year, more than 1,300 people develop severe illness that affects the central nervous system and more than 130 people die, .

Cases are also on the rise nationwide, with case counts running 40% higher than normal, CDC officials have .

West Nile virus may be on the rise in the U.S. due to a combination of warmer temperatures and increased rainfall, . Warmer weather accelerates mosquito development, biting and the incubation of the virus within the mosquito, while rain creates more sites for mosquitoes to lay eggs.

Though summer ended Sept. 22, high temperatures in the 最新杏吧原创 reached 85 degrees or higher every day between Sept. 27 and Oct. 6 鈥� about 10 degrees above normal.

This past summer, experts also feared damage from a devastating tornado in May would make this year鈥檚 mosquito season worse in 最新杏吧原创, because of water pooling in piles of debris.

DHSS officials urged health care providers to consider West Nile virus as a possible cause when patients experience symptoms and to monitor increasing case activity on the state鈥檚 website.

They suggested Missourians take the following precautions:

• Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin or IR3535.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Eliminate standing water around your home, including in flowerpots, gutters, birdbaths and old tires.
• Ensure window and door screens have no openings for mosquitoes.
• Report , because birds are more likely to die from the virus, through the .