Spraying planned after second West Nile virus case confirmed in Rock Hill resident

A second case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in a Rock Hill resident, according to York County Emergency Management.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control recently informed York County officials of a case near Baylor Drive.

To prevent mosquito exposure, the health department recommends residents:

▪ Eliminate areas of standing water

▪ Use insect repellant

▪ Keep skin covered

▪ Keep windows and doors closed

The virus is spread through mosquito bites. According to the DHEC, most people infected with the virus don’t develop any symptoms.

However, about one in five people infected will develop a fever with some other symptoms, and fewer than 1 percent develop meningitis, which can be potentially fatal, according to DHEC.

The health department also recommends residents spray for mosquitoes within a one-mile radius of Baylor Drive.

Starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Gregory Pest Solutions will spray Aqua-Reslin from a truck within a one-mile radius of Baylor Drive. Spraying will continue until early morning and the time frame could change depending on the weather, according to emergency management officials.

Aqua-Reslin is the same substance used to spray an area within a one-mile radius of Oakdale Fire Station on Saluda Street in August after a person with West Nile virus was found in southern Rock Hill.

During a press conference addressing that first case, Chuck Haynes, director of York County Emergency Management, said beekeepers and people with organic gardens in the area may need to take precautions by moving hives or plants indoors when the insecticide is sprayed.

Haynes said the insecticide is not harmful to people. He said the machine is calibrated to put out about 1 ounce per acre, to target adult mosquitoes specifically.

In August, the spray was also used on property around three schools in the area —South Pointe High School, Oakdale Elementary School and Saluda Trail Middle School.

Haynes in August said Rock Hill residents can help get rid of mosquitoes too.

“No one likes a mosquito, so get rid of standing water,” Haynes said. “Use your insecticides to get rid of them. Wear Deet while you’re outside. Reduce the chance that you’ll be bitten by one of these mosquitoes that could potentially carry a number of viruses.”

During the press conference, officials from the city, York County Office of Emergency Management, York County government and Rock Hill schools emphasized that finding cases of West Nile virus is not out of the ordinary.

Questions should be directed to York County Emergency Management at 803-326-2300.

This story was originally published September 18, 2017 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Spraying planned after second West Nile virus case confirmed in Rock Hill resident."