West Nile Virus Found in South St. Louis County

The West Nile Virus has been found in mosquitoes in the Mehlville area of south St. Louis County.

Mosquitoes carrying the virus have also been found in Lemay, Florissant, Richmond Heights, Clayton, Hanley Hills and Manchester, stated a St. Louis County Department of Health news release.

"We're just at the start of the mosquito season, so we'll be getting more reports as the summer goes on. Just because their neighborhood wasn't listed in this first round doesn't mean they (the mosquitoes) won't be found later on," department spokesman John Shelton said to Manchester Editor Gabrielle Biondo.

"Every year we get West Nile mosquitoes everywhere, so there's no place that is immune from them or protected from them," he said.

The City of Arnold is about a 10-minute drive from Mehlville.

No human cases of the virus were reported in St. Louis County as of Thursday afternoon, Shelton said.

“Even though serious West Nile Virus cases in humans are rare, it is important to minimize our exposure. We can do this by eliminating opportunities for mosquitoes to breed and multiply, and protect ourselves by using repellents,” St. Louis County Health Department Director Dr. Dolores J. Gunn said in the news release.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, body aches, rashes or swollen lymph glands, according to MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health managed website.

The virus can be deadly if it enters the brain and causes inflammation, a condition called encephalitis, MedlinePlus stated. Meningitis can occur when the virus enters the spinal cord.

Neighbors should obtain immediate medical help for people who are confused, lose consciousness, have a stiff neck, muscle weakness or weakness of one arm or leg, the NIH said.

Older people are most at risk, the NIH said. There are no specific vaccines or treatments for human WNV disease. The easiest and best way to avoid the virus is to prevent mosquito bites.

Mary Holden, Arnold’s Director of Community Development and who is responsible for the city’s Health Department, said her department has already begun spraying to prevent mosquitoes in the area.

“The entire city is covered in a week and we spray every week,” Holden said in an email interview.

Holden also suggested residents eliminate any standing water around their homes. Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, she said.

Clogged gutters, for example, can allow water to build-up around the home, Holden said.

Here are other steps residents can take to reduce the risk of mosquitoes near the home:

• At least once a week, drain water from garbage cans, buckets, toys, flowerpots, wading pools, pet dishes, and other objects can collect water.
• Change water in birdbaths at least once a week.
• Keep gutters clean to prevent water collection.
• Flexible drainage pipes should be properly angled to allow water to drain from  downspouts.
• Repair any tears in door and window screens.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and light colors outdoors.
• Spray clothing with repellents containing DEET or picaridin, making sure to follow the directions on the label.
• Look for products containing the active ingredient methoprene or Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to place in birdbaths or ponds, to prevent mosquitoes from developing.

Gabrielle Biondo, editor for Manchester and Town and Country Patch, contributed to this article.