Mosquitoes that carry a disease that can cause paralysis have been found in 7 US states

Mosquito bites are annoying at best, and at worst can lead to diseases such as malaria, Zika virus and West Nile virus. New reports show that mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been found in at least seven states, and there are cases of human infection. Writes about this The Hill.

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Mosquitoes carrying a potentially paralyzing disease have been found in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts and New York.

West Nile virus was also first detected in Colorado this season, according to official health officials.

The Colorado Department of Health says mosquitoes are more common this year due to hotter weather and more rain.

Human cases have been confirmed in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois and Iowa, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On the subject: Mosquito myths and truths: from historical facts to bite dangers

On July 2, New York City officials told residents that two groups of mosquitoes had tested positive for West Nile virus in Rockland County. In New York, not a single person has been registered with the disease.

Infected mosquitoes in Rockland County were found and trapped in Orangetown and Clarkstown on June 21.

“We typically expect West Nile virus activity to increase this time of year, and these mosquito swarms confirm that,” county Health Commissioner Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said.

On July 1, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a mosquito caught in the state had tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquito was caught on June 29th. No one in the state has been reported to be infected with the virus.

“The first infected mosquito of the season is always a signal that it is time to start taking steps to avoid mosquito bites and infection,” said Acting DPH Commissioner Margret Cook.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

Mosquito bites and West Nile virus infection are closely related to each other.

DPH reported that there were eight cases of West Nile virus infection in Massachusetts in 2020, when most of the activity was restricted.

Compared to 2018, when there were 49 cases of West Nile virus, which was the most infectious year in the state.

“Most mosquitoes do not test positive for disease-causing viruses. However, the bite of a mosquito infected with West Nile virus can cause serious illness and, in some cases, death,” Rockland County said in a statement.

People 50 and older have a higher risk of contracting a serious illness. West Nile virus can cause neurological disease and can also cause milder flu-like illness, including fever, headache and body aches, nausea, and sometimes skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• Outbreaks in the United States occur every year. How to protect yourself can be read in our material.

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