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Severe West Nile virus case under investigation in Tuscaloosa


(abc3340.com)
(abc3340.com)
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The Tuscaloosa County Health Department is investigating what is likely its first case of West Nile virus this year.

People living in the Audubon historic district were notified via email Tuesday night of what the neighborhood association said is a severe case of West Nile virus.

Neighbors admit the news put them on edge.

"I get bitten all the time," Audubon Resident Nick Sella said.

West Nile virus is something most of us know about, but few expect it to affect them. Sella was born and raised in Tuscaloosa. He said he has never heard of a case in Audubon or even close to the downtown area.

County health officers agreed, West Nile virus is not frequently diagnosed in Tuscaloosa. They said prevention is key. Avoiding standing water and wearing mosquito repellent and long sleeves can help.

Emergency Preparedness Spokesperson Tommy Dockery said there is no way to know exactly where West Nile comes from.

"People can travel and you can be anywhere at any given time and get bit by a mosquito," Dockery said, "There are a lot of [symptoms] that come across like an everyday cold. The only way to know is go to your doctor and be tested."

Sella said his neighbor spent ten days in the hospital, but he is expected to recover. The fear factor comes in not knowing when or how he caught West Nile.

"Being from the south...we go out and live with it. And if we get bitten, we get bitten," Sella said, "We don't think twice about it. But now I'm sure we'll be more aware of what's going on."

The City of Tuscaloosa's mosquito control procedures were under review in June after several Forest Lake residents were diagnosed with West Nile virus. City officials did not immediately respond to ABC 33/40's questions about what is being done in Audubon.

The mosquito population is expected to decrease over the next month. Until then, health officers said draining standing water near your home is the best way to avoid mosquitoes that could be carrying the virus.

Update: A spokesperson for the city said in the past, crews sprayed for mosquitoes on a consistent rotation. This year, sprays are done by request only. She confirmed the historic district has not been sprayed. The city said part of the reason they are not spraying consistently is because they are in the process of filling vacant positions.

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