Midlands SC resident dies from West Nile virus
A Midlands resident has died of West Nile virus, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed Monday.
The news comes days after that agency announced there was an outbreak of West Nile in Richland County.
“DHEC considers this an outbreak in progress and is urging Richland County and Midlands residents to use personal protective measures against mosquitoes, including repellents,” the agency said in a statement Friday.
Most individuals who contract West Nile do not experience symptoms, according to a statement from state epidemiologist Linda Bell.
“However, the risk of serious illness such as encephalitis, a potentially fatal inflammation of the brain, though it occurs in less than one percent of people infected, is reason enough for residents in Richland County to take this alert seriously and take the precautions advised,” that statement adds.
Bell says residents who experience fever or other symptoms following a mosquito bite should contact their health care provider immediately.
Eleven human cases of the virus have been reported in the Midlands this year, according to the agency. Six of those cases have been in Richland County. The human cases were reported along with confirmations of the virus in birds and mosquitoes around the same time and area.
Five birds and 38 mosquitoes sampled have also tested positive for the virus, according to the state agency.
DHEC cannot confirm the identify of the individual who died, citing privacy concerns.
Columbia attorney James Harrison died Friday, three weeks after contracting West Nile, according to his obituary, published in The State newspaper Sunday. A representative for Harrison couldn’t be reached Monday.
The city of Columbia in late July announced it, too, had found a dead bird positive for the virus and that it would be conducting insecticide spraying for adult mosquitoes.
DHEC asks that residents use repellents to protect themselves from mosquito bites. The agency also asks that residents eliminate sources of standing water on their property, including pool covers, pet bowls and rain gutters.
This story was originally published September 12, 2022 at 4:58 PM.
