Martin County resident tests positive for West Nile virus, the first case in 20 years
Catie WegmanThe Florida Department of Health confirmed a positive human case of West Nile virus in Martin County on Monday — the first in two decades, FDOH data shows.
It is unknown when the last time a Martin County resident would have tested positive for the illness, as readily available information only dated back to 2000. St. Lucie and Indian River counties also haven't seen a human case since at least 2003.
"It’s unusual in that aspect," Martin County health department spokesperson Renay Rouse said of the positive human case. "However, it does happen, and pretty strange things have happened in 2020."
It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the Centers for Disease Control. There are no vaccines to prevent it or medications to treat it in people. Most people infected do not feel sick and it is rarely fatal.
Martin County issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory Aug. 19, after sentinel chickens tested positive, which remains in effect as increased disease activity persists, according to a news release issued Monday.
All three counties found the virus among their respective sentinel chicken programs this year, which are used to detect the presence of West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever or Zika virus.
A positive test results from the chickens means the risk of transmission to humans has increased.
More: West Nile virus found in Martin County chickens, DOH urges precautions
More: West Nile Virus infection found in Indian River County sentinel chickens
More: St. Lucie chickens positive for West Nile virus
Human cases of West Nile aren't a rarity in Florida, though. As of Oct. 19, there had been 59 statewide in Bay, Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Infections typically rise in the hot, damp summer months, but transmission can occur any month of the year. It isn't uncommon to see mosquito-borne illness advisories extend into November, Rouse said.
West Nile can cause fever, head and body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and rash in among one out of five people infected; but, a majority of those who contract the virus show no symptoms.
Residents should take preventative measures including:
- Cover skin with clothing or repellent
- Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying
- Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house
Catie Wegman is a community reporter who also produces "Ask Catie," an occasional feature to find answers to your burning questions about anything and everything — the more bizarre the better. Contact her at catie.wegman@tcpalm.com and follow her @Catie_Wegman on Twitter and @catiewegman1 on Facebook.