West Nile virus seen in Iowa

RINGGOLD COUNTY - The year's first case of West Nile virus was confirmed in Iowa, state public health officials reported Friday.

The Iowa Department of Public Health said an adult female from Ringgold County is now recovering.

'This West Nile case should serve as notice that the virus is out there and Iowans should take precautions,” IDPH Medical Director Dr. Patricia Quinlisk said in a news release.

The virus is transmitted through mosquitoes.

Public health officials said the best way to prevent West Nile is to eliminate mosquito breeding areas, including standing water in buckets, cans and pool covers, and to use insect repellent when outdoors.

Quinlisk noted that using an insect repellent containing diethyltoluamide - better known as DEET - provides protection against both mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus, and ticks, which can carry Lyme disease.

There have been 111 reported cases of Lyme disease in Iowa this year.

Approximately 20 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have mild to moderate symptoms including fever, headache, body aches and vomiting, officials said. Less than one percent of people infected become seriously ill.

West Nile first appeared in Iowa in 2002. The virus since has been found in all 99 counties in Iowa, either in humans, horses or birds, the public health department said.

In 2014, there were 15 human cases of West Nile virus in Iowa but no deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there were more than 2,200 cases in 2014 and 97 deaths nationwide.