ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The Village of Vinita Park is home to St. Louis County's first West Nile virus (WNV)-positive mosquito of 2024, county health officials said Wednesday.
The mosquito was caught by one of the many traps that the St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) set up around the county. Although the initial positive WNV mosquito was found in Vinita Park, officials said the virus can be found throughout the county during the summer months. In 2023, officials told 5 On Your Side that nine human WNV cases and one WNV death were recorded.
“The indication of West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes in our area is a reminder that preventive measures are important,” said Dr. Kanika Cunningham, director of DPH. “Even though serious West Nile virus cases in humans are rare, it is important to minimize our exposure. We can do this by eliminating opportunities for mosquitoes to breed and multiply, and by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites.”
About one out of every 150 infected people develop a serious and sometimes fatal illness, DPH said in a news release. There is no vaccine to treat the virus. The people who are most at-risk for severe illness from the virus include adults over 50 years old, immunocompromised people and individuals with other chronic illnesses including cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease. There is also a very low chance that women can transmit WNV to their baby during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
People can take numerous steps to prevent catching WNV, according to DPH, including:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Use insect repellents that contain either DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or IR3535.
- Eliminate any sources of standing water around homes at least once a week. Treat other sources of water, including birth baths, decorative ponds and other water sources that can't be drained with Bti, a naturally occurring bacterium that targets mosquito larvae.
- Repair tears in door and window screens.
