By Jacklyn Ryan jryan@nebraska.tv Facebook / Twitter @NTVsJacklynRyan
This weekend, Adams County was the first county detected to have a mosquito infected with West Nile virus. Now, the virus has been discovered in three other counties.
As of July 10, four counties have found either a bird or mosquito infected with the virus. The counties impacted have been very random, and also, very far apart.
Four cases of the virus have turned up. Sheridan and Adams county have found one infected mosquito and Phelps and Madison counties have each found one infected bird.
In Holdrege, a town in Phelps County, this information doesn't alert some people.
"I'm not real concerned about it at the moment because of the drought conditions that we
have," Holdrege Mayor Rick Jeffery said.
The Two Rivers Health Department says don't let your guard down. The hot, dry weather can be deceiving.
"We have to let science prove itself," Two Rivers Public Health employee Heather Easton said. "Obviously the bird in Phelps County has tested positive. Basically, what that tells us is West Nile is in Phelps County."
Madison, Sheridan, Phelps and Adams also have the virus. The There are no human cases yet and but Two Rivers Health Department encourages everyone to be prepared.
"Some people are really affected by it," Easton said. "We really need to take precautions."
They recommend wearing bug spray with deet and wearing long sleeve clothes when
you're out.
"It's hot out and it's not fun, but neither is West Nile," Easton said.
If you find a dead bird and want to send it in for testing, you must follow these requirements: The birds must be dead, free of bugs, free of animal bites, must have all their parts, cannot have odors and must be dead for less than 24 hours
Birds and bugs are being sent in every other week. Although only two misquotes and two birds have been found with the virus in Nebraska. However, throughout the summer, that might change.
"Just be aware of what your kids are doing," Jeffery said. "Take the necessary precautions. Spray them with deet. No need to start panicking -- just be aware of what's taking place."
