The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed two cases of West Nile virus in Myrtle Beach.
As a precaution, the City of Myrtle Beach is increasing its mosquito control efforts throughout the city. In addition to the city’s weekly citywide spraying program, crews are intensifying aerial spraying to target adult mosquitoes, treating standing water with larvicide briquettes and assisting DPH with mosquito trapping for testing and surveillance. The city’s weekly citywide spraying program began in May and continues throughout mosquito season.
City officials encourage residents to help reduce mosquito populations around their homes and protect themselves from mosquito bites by following DPH recommendations:
Understanding the Risks of West Nile Virus
- Eliminate standing water in flowerpots, toys, buckets, gutters, pet bowls, pool covers, old tires and other containers where mosquitoes can breed.
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label directions.
- Wear clothing that reduces exposed skin when outdoors.
- Limit exposure during peak mosquito activity, particularly in the early morning. Some mosquito species also bite during the day, especially in wooded or shaded areas. Keep doors and windows fitted with tight screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.
- Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and take simple precautions to reduce the risk of mosquito bites during the remainder of mosquito season.
West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and is not spread from person to person. Most people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms. About one in five people who become infected develop an illness within two to 14 days that may include fever, headache, joint pain, muscle pain and, in some cases, nausea and vomiting. The risk of serious illness remains low.
For more information about West Nile virus, visit the South Carolina Department of Public Health website at https://dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/insects-and-vector-borne-diseases/west-nile-virus.
