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First WNV Mosquito Samples Confirmed in Beaufort County
18 Jul
Summary
- First West Nile virus positive mosquito samples confirmed this year in Beaufort County.
- Samples collected in the City of Beaufort tested positive for West Nile virus.
- Mosquito control efforts are increasing with truck treatments to reduce numbers.
Beaufort County officials have confirmed the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) in the first mosquito samples of the year. These positive samples were collected from surveillance traps located in the City of Beaufort.
Beaufort County Mosquito Control stated that the virus can be transmitted through infected mosquito bites, with symptoms in humans including fever and headaches. There are no human vaccines or treatments available for West Nile virus.
In response to this detection, mosquito trapping will be increased in the identified areas. The department also announced scheduled truck missions to reduce the overall mosquito population.
While West Nile virus is endemic to the region, its detection levels can fluctuate annually. Beaufort County Mosquito Control regularly deploys up to 80 mosquito surveillance traps weekly across the county to monitor for mosquito-borne diseases such as WNV, eastern equine encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis.
