A new cases of West Nile Virus has been confirmed this week in a bird found in Anderson County. The bird was located near the intersection of Stringer Rd. and Old Williamston Rd. in Belton. The Emergency Management Division in coordination with Gregory Pest Solutions, the County’s pest control contractor, will be spraying the affected area within a one-mile radius of where the dead bird was found. Weather permitting, spraying will take place late on Monday night, October 15, 2018, and will include the placement of larvicide briquettes in standing water on public lands and in manholes.
There are still no confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus in Anderson County; however, the Emergency Management Division continues DHEC-prescribed mitigation and abatement actions in affected areas. The water-based pesticide used during spraying does not pose a health risk to humans or animals; however, beekeepers with hives in the area should arrange to relocate or cover hives until spraying has been completed. All local beekeeping organizations are being notified.
The larvicide briquettes placed in areas of standing water, to reduce the mosquito threat, should not be handled or disturbed by the public and will remain effective up to 45 days after placement. A CodeRed alert message will be sent out to residents within a one-mile radius of where the infected bird was located alerting them to plans for spraying and directing them to the Emergency Management Division website for more information. Residents are reminded of the most effective ways to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus:
• Repellents help keep mosquitoes from biting. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. New cases of avian West Nile Virus confirmed Page 2
305 Camson Rd. · Anderson, South Carolina 29625
• Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. • Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. • Wearing light-colored clothing to cover the skin reduces the risk of bites.
For additional information regarding the West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses, as well as other important tips, follow @ACSCEMD on Facebook and Twitter or visit the following websites: https://emd.andersonsheriff.org/wnv http://www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/Insects/Mosquitoes/ https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html
