Charlotte residents should take extra precautions after health officials confirmed West Nile virus has been detected in local mosquitoes for the first time this year.
The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health identified the virus in a pool of mosquitoes collected by Mecklenburg County Public Health.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. Most people develop no symptoms or only a mild flu-like illness. Others may experience fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. There is currently no vaccine or cure for West Nile virus in humans.
The EPA recommends using natural BTI on standing water to quickly kill mosquito larvae.
They also encourage people wear insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, essential oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 before going outside on humid days.
