OSWEGO -- The Oswego County Health Department confirms a child has come down with West Nile Virus. Health officials say they were notified of the infection by the NYS Department of Health Friday afternoon. The child lives in Oswego and is now recovering at home.
The virus was found earlier this summer in mosquitoes collected in Central Square and New Haven. It is also present in Onondaga County and areas of western and southern New York State.
"The Oswego County Health Department is working with the state Department of Health to investigate the case," said Jiancheng Huang, public health director of the Oswego County Health Department. "As West Nile activities increase in some parts of the county recently, we need to encourage all citizens to use personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites."
In most people, West Nile virus causes no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems and in rare instances can lead to death.
The Oswego County Health Department advises people to reduce their risk of being bitten by mosquitoes by using insect repellents. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus are the most effective and should be used according to package instructions.
People should also minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn and wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are most active.
