An eighth Oklahoman has died from the West Nile virus, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
The person was the third to die in Tulsa County. The total number of West Nile virus cases rose to 127, the highest number of cases ever recorded in a single year in Oklahoma.
State health officials have warned residents that favorable conditions for the spread of West Nile virus continue. Using insect repellent when outdoors, draining standing water from items in the yard that mosquitoes can use to breed and assuring doors and window screens are in good repair are essential to “fighting the bite” to help prevent West Nile virus.
“Our surveillance findings clearly show that Oklahoma adults over the age of 40 are at greatest risk of becoming seriously ill after an encounter with a mosquito carrying West Nile virus,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley. “We continue to urge people in this age group to heed the warning and regularly practice their personal protection methods. Something as simple as using mosquito repellent can spare you from a life-changing disease.”
For more information on WNV prevention, visit www.health.ok.gov, or call your local county health department.