OKLAHOMA CITY -
The West Nile
virus is to blame for the death of another Oklahoma resident.
The state health department
says the latest victim is a man over the age of 65 in Pontotoc County. That
brings the death toll this year to 12, a record-breaking number for the state.
The number of
reported cases in Oklahoma is now up to 173. That's the highest number on
record since the virus reached the U.S. over a dozen years ago. And
unfortunately, the health department says more cases are likely this year.
Health officials
want Oklahomans to remain on alert to protect themselves from the virus. Even
though the weather has been cooler lately, mosquitoes that carry the disease
still remain a threat.
While the number
of reported cases is declining, 2012 has still been the deadliest year for West
Nile in Oklahoma.
10/18/2012
Related Story: 12 Deaths From West Nile Reported In Oklahoma, Breaks Record
"It is very
significant," Phil Maytubby, with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department
says. "We've never had this level of West Nile virus in Oklahoma, period."
That's why the health
department is reminding people to wear insect repellent that contains DEET.
They also say to stay inside at dusk and dawn, and drain any standing water on
your property. That could be in tires, buckets, cans, guttering and bird baths.
Mosquito larva can live in basically anything that can hold water for a week.
"If they've
already covered their pool, usually those pool covers hold water, and that
might become an issue," Maytubby said.
It's an issue
that's here to stay until mosquitoes neutralize in the first big freeze this
fall.
The Oklahoma
City-County Health Department is already preparing for next year, too. It will
launch a new program this spring to trap mosquitoes for early testing, that way
it can get an early indication whether the virus is showing up again and how it
could affect us in 2013.
Before this year,
the highest number of West Nile cases was reported in 2007 with 107 infected
and 9 deaths.
For a full
checklist to reduce mosquitoes near you, go to www.occhd.org/fightthebite
Other information
is available through the Oklahoma City-County Health Department Consumer Protection
(405) 425-4347.
News 9's
complete West Nile Virus coverage
The number of reported cases in Oklahoma is now up to 173.
