Shaw Local Radio Podcast: Talk-Line with Steve Marco interviews Ashly Whaley on West Nile Virus
The TALK-LINE interview for June 9 featured Ogle County Health Department Environmental Health Director Ashly Whaley discussing the West Nile Virus: what it is, how it is transmitted, what the department is doing, what steps to take to prevent this ailment and what to watch for.
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West Nile Virus found in mosquitoes in Lubbock County, warns city. Here's what to know
The City of Lubbock is warning Lubbock County residents that West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in the county. According to the city, the Biological Threat Research Lab at Texas Tech University has notified the Lubbock Health Department that mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus are active in Lubbock County. Others are reading: What's coming in Lubbock County's proposed budget? Here's what's being discussed In response, the vector control teams will increase spraying within the community, with the city strongly urging the public to take precautions to reduce mosquito bites and help prevent the spread of the virus. The city is also asking residents to help prevent the spread of the virus by reporting biting adult mosquitoes or reporting a suspected mosquito breeding site. According to the health department, West Nile is a disease of birds that humans are exposed to after a mosquito has fed on an infected bird. Humans can only contract it from mosquitoes and cannot pass it to other humans. For more information about West Nile Virus, visit the CDC website: According to the health department, here are the common symptoms: Headache. Fever. Muscle and joint aches. Nausea. Fatigue. Symptoms involving the central nervous system can also develop, which include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. According to the health department, most infected people show no symptoms, with most recovering on their own. Currently, there are no medications or vaccines to prevent or treat infection. People over 50 years old and those with other health issues are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill. If people have symptoms and suspect West Nile Virus infection, they should contact their healthcare provider. Individuals can take the following steps to prevent infection this holiday week and throughout summer: Wearing an EPA-registered insect repellant Covering up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants Keeping mosquitoes out of living areas by using air conditioning or intact window screens Limiting outdoor activities during peak mosquito times Dumping standing water around your home As of June 18, there have been no reported human West Nile infection cases or deaths in Lubbock in 2025. Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@ This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: West Nile Virus found in mosquitoes around Lubbock, city urges caution
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Batch of mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Evanston, Illinois
A batch of mosquitoes in Evanston, Illinois, have tested positive for West Nile virus. The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District said the batch was collected on Monday in a trap and tested positive for the virus on Thursday. So far this year, the virus has been found in 17 Illinois counties, including Cook, Will, and DuPage. The first human case of the year was confirmed in Southern Illinois, where the person was hospitalized due to complications from the virus. Symptoms of West Nile virus While most people infected with the virus do not feel sick, about one in five will develop a fever and flu-like symptoms. Other symptoms include body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Severe illness from the West Nile virus can occur in about one in 150 people and is most likely to occur in people over age 55 or with weakened immune systems. Remember the three R's The Illinois Department of Public Health advised the public to utilize the three R's for mosquitoes — reduce exposure, repel using insect repellent, and report any standing water seen for longer than a week, as it can breed the virus. The public is also advised to wear loose-fitting clothing and, if possible, avoid peak mosquito feeding times, typically around dusk and dawn.
CBS News
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Mosquitos in Northern Colorado county test positive for West Nile virus
This week, a sample of the mosquito population in Larimer County in Northern Colorado tested positive for West Nile virus. County health officials say this marks the beginning of heightened risk for residents, as warmer weather and rain lead to more mosquito activity. About 1 in 5 people infected may develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash. About 1 in 150 people who are infected develop more severe illness, which includes symptoms of high fever, headache, tremors, muscle weakness, vision loss and paralysis. Mosquitos in Larimer County have tested positive for West Nile Virus. CBS When Lisa Montez visited Fort Collins in the summer of 2022, she never imagined a mosquito bite would turn her life upside down. What started as mild fatigue turned into a months-long ordeal that left her unable to drive, plagued by chronic fatigue, and permanently impacted by the bite. "The next day, I woke up and was very, very tired. But I figured, because I was traveling and we were with family, that it was just a normal vacation tied," Montez said. She returned home to Washington. Within days, Montez broke out in a full-body rash. Doctors initially suspected something minor - maybe an ear infection or just a viral bug. But despite multiple visits to urgent care and emergency rooms, her condition worsened with no clear answers. It took two months and a battery of tests before doctors finally diagnosed her with West Nile virus. Montez, a healthy woman in her 30s, ended up with a rare neuroinvasive form of the illness. CBS Colorado's Tori Mason walks with Lisa Montez. CBS "My husband was doing everything on his own. I couldn't do laundry, I couldn't cook, I couldn't clean. A lot of times I was just in bed because I was so dizzy or I was so tired," she explained. She wasn't able to drive a car for about a year. Her family returned to Colorado to get support from family and treatment at UCHealth. Montez was in vestibular rehab for 11 months and in occupational therapy for eight months. "I think that had we not come back, I wouldn't be where I am, and I wouldn't have progressed as far as I have through this with the support that I had. So I'm very grateful for UCHealth and for all of the time that they invested," she said. People ages 55 and older are at higher risk of serious symptoms if they get West Nile virus. People with health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, and who have had organ transplants or are taking medications that suppress the immune system, are also at risk. There are no vaccines to prevent West Nile virus. Dr. Bob Belknap, Director of the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, says if people have it, it's supportive care. "If someone is feeling sick, and if they have any concern at all, we recommend that they seek medical care. Do not hesitate. People usually know if something is mild and it's manageable, something they can treat with over-the-counter medications," he said. "If it's at all concerning, or if it's getting worse despite those treatments, then definitely people should seek care." Larimer County CBS The Health Department urges all residents to adopt effective protective measures as part of their summer routine: Regularly use an EPA-registered insect repellent. Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants for long walks, gardening, and other times outside. Avoid outdoor activities during peak biting times around dawn and dusk. Montez says the experience completely reshaped how she approaches outdoor activities. She hopes her experience reminds others not to brush off those bites. "I have nerve damage in my body. My left side was impacted more than the rest of my body, so I have weakness in the left side of my body. I actually have a little bit of drooping in this side of the face," she said. "I'm better today, but I will have lifelong effects from this."
