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S.C. (WTOC) -Beaufort County Mosquito Control is setting additional traps in areas where West Nile virus has been detected, following the first confirmed detection of the year in the county
Beaufort Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kurt Gambla said the majority of people infected with the virus will never know they have it. He said 80% of those infected show no symptoms and recover without treatment
“80% of people that become infected with West Nile have no symptoms at all. They don’t know they’re sick. They recover. And the good news about that is we think that can confer lifelong immunity. So you can only get infected once,” Dr. Gambla said
Dr. Gambla said the remaining 20% of those infected may show symptoms similar to the flu. He said there is no vaccine or cure, and treatment for anyone who tests positive is supportive care
“The other 20% that can show symptoms, the great majority of those, it looks a lot like the flu,” Dr. Gambla said. “People with a normal immune system, they have a strong enough immune system that they just develop antibodies very quickly and they fight it off before it can really cause them any problems.”
Dr. Gambla said 1% of those infected can develop severe symptoms, including meningitis, encephalitis, or a condition that resembles polio. He said the elderly and those with underlying health conditions are more susceptible and should take extra precautions
Dr. Gambla said a bite from a mosquito carrying West Nile virus will look no different from any other mosquito bite
Beaufort County Mosquito Control said the virus is naturally found in South Carolina, though detection varies each year. Dr. Gambla said peak transmission occurs during the summer months. Last year, only five people in the state tested positive for the virus
Dr. Gambla said Beaufort Memorial is aware of the detection and conducts additional testing on patients when staff determines it is appropriate
Dr. Gambla said any amount of free-standing water — including bird baths and potted plants — can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. He advised residents to wear EPA-approved bug repellent when going outside and to avoid being outdoors during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
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