Shelby County health officials reported Tuesday that more signs of the West Nile virus have been found in areas around Memphis.
As of Tuesday evening, the virus has been found in dead birds in 13 area zip codes, according to the Memphis Health Department.
That number is up from last month, when the health department announced that the mosquito-carried virus had emerged in four local zip codes.
The zip codes that have reported cases of the virus are 38016, 38106, 38107, 38111, 38112, 38115, 38116, 38117, 38118, 38119, 38120, 38125 and 38138.
The West Nile virus was first reported in the United States in 1999, and has since spread down the East Coast and moved west, according to the Memphis Health Department.
Brenda Kinney, supervisor of epidemiology, said most mosquitoes and humans will never contract the virus.
“What most people do not realize is less than one percent of mosquitoes carry the virus,” Kinney said. “Even less than one percent of people will be infected by the virus. Even if they do have the virus, usually their body’s immune system will fight it off.”
Although there have not been many cases of the West Nile virus infecting humans, the health department has issued a bulletin warning area residents to take precautionary measures.
Some symptoms of the virus may include fever, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, flu-like symptoms, mild illnesses or a rash.
Since 1999, the virus has claimed 10 victims in the United States but none have been reported in Memphis.
Kinney said the health department is targeting specific areas around Memphis such as the 38112 zip code, which is the area around the intersection of Summer and East Parkway, and areas south of that zip code.
“To help keep the virus from spreading, we will target the southern half of the city and county,” Kinney said. “We will be spraying stillwater areas and other places that are mosquito-breeding areas.”
Although no signs of the virus have been found in The University of Memphis area, Jacqueline DeFouw, health educator at The U of M, said she wants to inform students about the severity of the virus.
“My intent is to start educating people about the virus,” DeFouw said. “We of course are watching (on campus) for any cases coming in and watching for any of the symptoms that may be present in the students.”
According to Defouw, people can avoid being infected by the West Nile virus by avoiding outdoor activity during the early morning and evening hours, wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants and making sure there is no standing water near them.
Also, DeFouw said to use mosquito repellent containing DEET and spray it on both clothing and unprotected skin.
