CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Vector control employers have discovered the Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE) virus in a mosquito pool near Saxet.
The discovery was made in the 400 block of Bartlett Drive.
According to the Center for Disease Control, SLE is a viral disease that can spread to humans through mouse bites. Most people who get SLE show no signs of illness, but some possible symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. It can be difficult for some people.
“Severe neuroinvasive disease (often with encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain) is more common in older adults,” the CDC states on its website. “In rare cases, long-term limitation may result in death.”
There are no vaccines or medications to treat SLE.
In a news release sent by the city of Corpus Christi late on August 17, the city stated that no human cases have been reported locally.
Corpus Christi Vector Control workers set up locations in the city to monitor mosquito populations.
Mosquitoes from those traps are then sent to the Department of State Health Services for testing of various diseases.
“Once we have the notification, we will take the preventive measures we took today. For every area in the city when we got a positive that came back, ‘said Joel Skidmore, program operations manager for the city’s Corpus Christi’s Vector Control department. “We have control measures in place for just this kind of situation.”
After detecting the viral illness, vectors of vector control spewed within a radius of half a mile for the next three nights. Skidmore said she began that process Tuesday night.
The latest case of a positive mosquito with SLE in Nueces County was reported in 2016.
Skidmore said even in the midst of a pandemic involving a different type of virus, it is important to take precautionary measures for both who live in the area.
“Take it seriously,” he said. “Be aware that the city takes it seriously. Animal Care, Vector Control takes it very seriously and we are doing what we can to keep the community safe.”
In the release, the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District recommended the “5 D’s of defense.”
- DEET – Use insect repellent containing DEET.
- DRESS – Dress in long sleeves and pants when you are outside.
- DAWN, DAYTIME and DUSK – Avoid being outside at these times of the day to avoid biting. Dawn, daytime and dusk are the times of the day when mosquitoes are most active.
- DRAIN – Dispose of regular standing water, including water that collects in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain wells and pies under potted plants. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
- DOCTOR – Consult a doctor if you feel sick after being bitten.
To report abandoned property, tall grass or standing water, call (361) 826-2489.
For more information on SLE check out the CDC website.
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Corpus Christi Vector Control had a mosquito test positive for St. Louis Encephalitis virus. (https://t.co/RiJZQUdckz) How badly is your area affected by mosquitoes? Tell us below.#mosquito #firus #SLE #corpuschristi #vectorcontrol
– KRIS 6 News (@ KRIS6News) August 18, 2020
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