WEST NILE IN WOODBURY COUNTY

SIOUX CITY---THE WEST NILE VIRUS HAS BEEN DETECTED IN WOODBURY COUNTY ACCORDING TO THE SIOUXLAND DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

A SENTINEL CHICKEN USED FOR EARLY DETECTION HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS.
THESE VIRUSES ARE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE BITE OF A MOSQUITO THAT HAS CONTRACTED THE VIRUS WHILE FEEDING ON INFECTED BIRDS OR ANIMALS.

MOST HUMANS INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS HAVE NO SYMPTOMS, WHILE SOME MAY HAVE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS FEVER, HEADACHE AND BODY ACHES.

THE EXTREMELY WET WEATHER AND HIGH TEMPERATURES CREATE PERFECT BREEDING GROUNDS FOR MOAQUITOES IN THE AREA.

TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF WEST NILE, APPLY INSECT REPELLENTS THAT INCLUDE DEET, WEAR LONG SLEEVES AND PANTS AT DAWN AND DUSK AND ELIMINATE STANDING WATER AROUND YOUR HOME.