Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus found in Louisville

Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus have been found in south Louisville, according to the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.

Surveillance traps in the Iroquois area found mosquitoes that tested positive for the virus, and mosquito fogging will take place in the 40214 area code this week, the department said in a release. No confirmed cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Louisville this year.

Most cases of West Nile virus yield mild or no symptoms, according to the release, although serious illness can occur in people of any age. Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness.

People older than 60 and those with certain medical conditions including cancer, diabetes and kidney disease as well as those who have received organ transplants are at greater risk of serious illness.

To see which areas will be fogged, visit the department's website or call the mosquito hotline at 502-574-6641.

What is West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus first appeared in a Ugandan woman in 1937, and since then has spread throughout the world, first appearing in the United States in 1999, according to the World Health Organization.

The most common way people get the virus is through mosquito bites, but contrary to popular belief, the virus originates from birds, according to the WHO. Mosquitoes only get the virus by feeding on infected birds. When they do so, the virus then ends up in the mosquito's salivary glands, which then gets into humans when mosquitoes bite them.

What are the signs and symptoms? How fatal is it?

While the virus can be fatal, it's not as common as people think.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80% of infected people don't experience symptoms. For the 20% that experience symptoms, they can range from headaches, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea, with fatigue and weakness that can last for months.

About 1 in 150 people infected develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system, which can result in disorientation, convulsions, paralysis and comas. The CDC estimated 10% of people who develop symptoms affecting their central nervous system die. There is no vaccine for West Nile, but it cannot spread by human contact unlike COVID-19.

Like most viral infections, people over the age of 60 and immunocompromised are at higher risk of developing worsening symptoms.

How can you stay safe?

Mosquitoes are typically active from dusk until dawn, so it is important to keep that in mind when outdoors. People can buy mosquito repellent, but mosquitoes can also bite you through your clothing.

Different brands and stores sell permethrin that can be put on the external side of clothing and camping gear. It can be extremely useful for people that like to camp or go on hikes.

USA TODAY's Jordan Mendoza contributed. Reach reporter Caleb Wiegandt at cwiegandt@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @CalebWiegandt.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: West Nile virus: Mosquitoes carrying the virus found in Iroquois area