West Nile has been detected in Richland County in South Carolina, according to Fox 8.
Here are seven things to know:
1. Officials detected the virus in a mosquito pool taken from the old GM plant in Ontario. No human cases have been reported.
2. Richland Public Health will conduct weekly mosquito sprayings in contracted areas.
3. In 2012, Richland County had a confirmed case of West Nile but since has had no reported cases.
4. Most people will not exhibit symptoms when infected with West Nile.
5. The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention estimates that around 20 percent of those who are infected with the virus will develop West Nile Fever. Symptoms include:
• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Body aches
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph glands
6. Approximately one in 150 persons with West Nile will develop a more severe form of the virus such as West Nile encephalitis, meningitis or West Nile poliomyelitis.
7. Those aged over 50 and those with medical conditions are considered high-risk for becoming severely ill when infected with West Nile.
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