(Lincoln, NE) -- The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has detected Cache Valley virus (CVV) in mosquitos in Lincoln County.
The agency says human disease from CVV is rare with only seven cases ever reported from across the U.S.
Nebraska DHHS further says all of the cases, however, resulted in serious neurological diseases, including meningitis, with three cases resulting in death, and other cases reporting long-term effects. The virus can also cause reproductive problems with animals.
Testing for CVV started earlier this year, in addition to monitoring for Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) and LaCrosse encephalitis virus (LACV). The agency says this is the first positive Cache Valley test in Nebraska.
In a news release from Friday, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service says preventing mosquito bites is the only way to reduce the risk of getting CVV, including:
- Using an EPA-registered repellent.
- Wearing protective clothing like loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, and pants.
- Avoiding dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Checking for standing water and water-holding containers once per week on your property and emptying, draining, or treating it with a mosquito dunk to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
You can read the entire press release on the Nebraska DHHS website.