Lincoln—Three more cases of West Nile virus among humans have been reported to the Nebraska Health and Human Services System (HHSS) this week, bringing the total of cases in the state so far this year to eight. The latest cases are from Seward, Douglas and Colfax. Previously reported cases have been from Platte, Saline, Lancaster (2) and Douglas counties.

The virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.

To avoid mosquito bites, the Health and Human Services System recommends that people "fight the bite" during outdoor activities by:

Applying mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus;
Wearing long-sleeved shirt, pants, and socks;
Avoiding going out at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active; and
Eliminating standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
Though the state hasn’t had many cases so far, the peak weeks for the reporting of cases to HHSS are the last week in August and the first week in September.

"I expect more cases to come," said Dr. Annette Bredthauer, the state’s public health veterinarian. "Now is not the time to let our guard down. People should be taking precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes."

Most people who are infected by a mosquito have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms. Less than one out of 150 people who get bitten by an infected mosquito and become infected will get seriously ill. However, people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to the disease and are more likely experience serious consequences.

West Nile fever includes flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle weakness. Symptoms of West Nile encephalitis include inflammation of the brain, disorientation, convulsions and paralysis.

Last year there were 188 human cases of the virus reported in Nebraska, with five deaths. In 2004 there were 54 cases and no deaths. In 2003 there were 2,366 cases with 29 deaths. In 2002, the first year that the virus appeared in the state, Nebraska had 174 cases and eight deaths.

More information can be found on the HHSS Web site at www.hhss.ne.gov