Statewide Iowa (Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting the first Iowa death this year from the West Nile virus.
Deputy State Epidemiologist Ann Garvey says the victim was a woman.
Doctor Garvey says they have not had many confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne disease.
There was one death attributed to West Nile last year. Doctor Garvey says the best way to prevent getting West Nile to take precautions against mosquitoes. She says it’s easy to overlook them in this busy time of year.
When the cool fall evenings take over we also tend to forget about mosquitoes, but Garvey says cool fall nights aren’t protection against them.
She says you could get infected and not even know it.
She says you should use insect repellent with DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or I-R-3535. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children. For example, oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age and DEET should not be used on children less than two months of age. For more information you can go to the Iowa Department of Public Health’s website.
