West Nile Virus confirmed in a person in Duval, Nassau counties

Jacksonville, FL — A case of West Nile Virus has now been confirmed in a human in Duval County and in Nassau County.

The Florida Department of Health says this case increases their concern for transmission of this mosquito-borne virus.

WOKV first told you early Thursday about the Duval County case. Nassau County’s Health Department issued a similar notice only a couple of hours later.

Both has advisories issued earlier this month for mosquito-borne viruses in the area. In Duval, several flocks of chicken used to monitor for these illnesses had tested positive for West Nile Virus. In Nassau, eastern equine encephalitis virus has been seen in horses, emus, and sentinel chickens. One chicken also tested positive for Highlands J Virus and 21 tested positive for WNV, according to the Health Department.

The respective governments and health departments continue surveillance and prevention efforts.

To protect yourself, you’re encouraged to “drain and cover”.

Drain any standing water from around your home to stop mosquitoes from multiplying. This includes large things like garbage cans, and even small items like cans. You should also empty and clean pet bowls and bird baths once or twice a week, maintain swimming pools, and tarp boats and vehicles.

You should also cover your skin with either long clothing or repellent. The repellent should have DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or IR3535. For children younger than 2-months-old, the Health Department says you should use mosquito netting instead.

Health officials are also encouraging you to cover doors and windows with screens, to prevent mosquitoes from getting in your home.

The CDC says most people infected with West Nile do not show symptoms, but about 20% of patients will develop a fever or other symptoms, and about 1 in 150 people will develop a serious illness, which could include central nervous system effects like encephalitis and meningitis. There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, but the CDC says over-the-counter pain relievers can be used for the minor symptoms.

There have positive tests for West Nile Virus in Duval, Nassau, and Keystone Heights this year- as well as other illnesses- but those have not yet registered in people.