SC health officials confirm 11 West Nile cases in people, some in York County
State health officials have confirmed 11 cases of West Nile virus in people so far this year, including some cases in York County.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said it confirmed that one of the 11 cases, a person from Anderson County, died last month.
The virus has also been detected in animals - so far, one horse, 13 birds and 75 mosquito samples.
Human cases have been confirmed in York, Greenville, Anderson, Beaufort, Horry, Richland and Union counties, DHEC said.
Infected mosquito and animal samples have been confirmed in York, Union, Saluda, Beaufort, Greenville, Kershaw, Lexington and Richland counties.
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.
Recent cases in Rock Hill have prompted spraying in certain areas. City officials sprayed in August an area within a one-mile radius of Oakdale Fire Station One on Saluda Street after a person with West Nile virus was found in southern Rock Hill.
Property around three schools in the area also was sprayed: South Pointe High School, Oakdale Elementary School and Saluda Trail Middle School.
On Tuesday, officials sprayed within a one-mile radius of Baylor Drive after a second case of West Nile virus was confirmed in a Rock Hill resident.
Officials in Rock Hill sprayed Aqua-Reslin from a truck in the affected areas.
During a press conference addressing the first case, Chuck Haynes, director of York County Emergency Management, 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.
However, any time insecticide is sprayed, Haynes said beekeepers and people with organic gardens may need to take precautions by moving hives or plants indoors.
Questions should be directed to York County Emergency Management at 803-326-2300.
Amanda Harris: 803-329-4082
Prevent Mosquito Exposure
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
This story was originally published September 20, 2017 at 10:57 AM with the headline "SC health officials confirm 11 West Nile cases in people, some in York County."