     The Panhandle has its first confirmed positive test of the season for the West Nile virus. The Panhandle Public Health District says the virus was found in mosquitoes at a trap site in Box Butte County.Â
      The state’s first West Nile mosquito confirmation was a month ago, June 6, in eastern Nebraska from the 3 Rivers Public Health District.
There have been no confirmed cases in humans in the state so far this year.Â
Environmental Health Coordinator Melissa Haas says positive mosquito tests give the PPHD and other health departments an indicator of where the virus is and where people might encounter mosquitoes carrying the virus.
Haas says multiple locations across Nebraska have monitoring sites to trap and test mosquitoes over the summer months. Human cases of West Nile are also used for surveillance.
8 out of 10 people who contract West Nile never develop symptoms, but severe cases can lead to the potentially fatal disease encephalitis which can cause inflammation of the brain, disorientation, convulsions and paralysis.
The best way to avoid West Nile virus is to avoid getting bitten by a mosquito, and Haas offers some simple tips to help with that – starting with using insect repellent that has DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
She also says to be careful at dawn and dusk – the times mosquitoes are most active – wear long sleeve shirts and pants, especially when out hiking and camping, and eliminate standing water on your property such as wagons, old tires, and bird baths.