West Nile Virus Confirmed in Okmulgee County – Updated

By Staff writer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “also known as Aedes triseriatus, and commonly known as the ”treehole mosquito”, this species is a known West Nile Virus vector.” Public domain image.

A case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Okmulgee county, Oklahoma. Okmulgee county’s boundary lines mirror those of the political boundaries of Okmulgee District of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Okmulgee district is home to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s seat of government.

According to TheHenryettan.com, Okmulgee County Health Department administrator William R. Pierson has verified the incident.  The case was detected in the city of Okmulgee but it is unknown where the virus was contracted, The Henryettan reported.

On August 14, 2012, the Oklahoma State Department of Health issued a Public Health Warning for West Nile Virus according to there website. Local media has reported at least five deaths in Oklahoma due to West Nile Virus infection. There is currently no known public health warnings which have been issued to the public through the Muscogee Nation Division of Health’s websites but there is an article about how to protect yourself from infection featured in Mvskoke Cvfeknicv Online Edition.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health is urging people in Oklahoma to take the following precautions:

• Use an insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing when you go outdoors. (Insect repellent with permethrin should be used on clothing only.)
• Place mosquito repellent in a handy and visible location in the home for easy access.
• Repair or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Prevent items such as buckets, cans, flower pots, and tires from holding standing water so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed.
• Empty, clean and refill your bird baths and pet’s outdoor water bowl daily.
• Clean leaves and debris from rain gutters regularly to ensure they are not clogged.

More information on West Nile Virus can be found at the links below:

West Nile Virus– The Journal of the American Medical Association
West Nile Virus – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Division of Vector Borne Diseases