MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The South Carolina Department of Public Health has confirmed two cases of West Nile virus in Myrtle Beach, prompting the city to ask the community to take precautions.
West Nile virus spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito and does not spread from person to person. Most people infected do not develop symptoms, but about one in five develop an illness within two to 14 days that may include fever, headache, joint pain, muscle pain and, in some cases, nausea and vomiting.
While the risk for serious illness remains low, the city is asking people to follow these recommendations from the South Carolina Department of Public Health:
- Eliminate standing water in flowerpots, toys, buckets, gutters, pet bowls, pool covers, old tires and other containers where mosquitoes can breed.
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label directions.
- Wear clothing that reduces exposed skin when outdoors.
- Limit exposure during peak mosquito activity, particularly in the early morning. Note that some mosquito species also bite during the day, especially in wooded or shaded areas.
- Keep doors and windows fitted with tight screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.
The city is increasing its mosquito control efforts, with crews intensifying aerial spraying to target adult mosquitoes, treating standing water with larvicide briquettes, and assisting DPH with mosquito trapping for testing and surveillance…