West Nile Virus in Missouri: 15 Hospitalized, 3 Dead

Health authorities in Missouri have issued a stern warning about a new surge of West Nile Virus that has hospitalized 15 and taken the lives of 3 to date.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services shared this alarming update on their Facebook page this week about how West Nile virus is causing all kinds of problems

This is confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control that shared a map showing West Nile virus cases surging in Missouri and also Illinois.

The good news is that mosquito activity should be receding once the colder temperatures of Fall arrive in Missouri. The bad news is the cool weather doesn't appear ready to take over yet as Missouri is one of the states expecting warmer than average temperatures over the next week or two according to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.

How can you minimize your risk of the West Nile virus in Missouri?

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services advises the following:

• Use insect repellent like DEET, picaridin or IR3535.
• Put on long sleeves and pants especially at dawn and dusk.
• Avoid leaving standing water anywhere
• Door and window screens should be secure.

Let's hope the Fall weather starts feeling like Fall weather in Missouri soon so we can be without the mosquito nuisance that is sickening many. That can't happen soon enough.