Two cases of West Nile virus - the first of this year - have been confirmed in the area, the Three Rivers District Health Department announced Thursday.
Cathi Sampson, community health educator, said in the press release that one case involved a Saunders County woman between 26 and 50 years old. The other case is a Dodge County female between 14 and 25 years old.
There also are two positive results for animals in the district, one bird and one horse. The horse was in Dodge County. The bird was a blue jay that was found in Wahoo on July 27 and turned into the department for testing.
Three Rivers began its surveillance program for West Nile virus on June 1 and has been accepting dead birds for testing. Birds are tested because they are very susceptible to West Nile virus, especially blue jays and crows.
Dead birds in an area are a good early warning sign that infected mosquitoes are present. Sampson said reporting dead birds is one of the best ways the public can help with the department's surveillance program.
The birds can then be dropped off at Three Rivers' office or a request can be made for pick-up service by calling (402) 727-5396, Ext. 19.
Dead bird collection will continue until the first freeze in the fall or until two positive birds are found in Dodge, Saunders and Washington counties.
People become infected with West Nile virus the same way animals do - through bites from infected mosquitoes.
Sampson said the public can ”fight the bite” to reduce their risk by:
* Using a repellent that contains DEET.
* Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks.
* Taking extra precautions when going outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
* Removing standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Insect repellents can provide valuable protection against West Nile virus, said Jeff Kuhr, Three Rivers' director.
For more information, call health department at (402) 727-5396, Ext. 18 or visit its Web site, www.threeriverspublichealthdepartment.org.
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