A bird carrying West Nile virus was found dead Monday night at the corner of Sumter and Hampton St. downtown. West Nile virus can spread from birds ➡️ mosquitoes ➡️ people.
Officials think the bird came from Shandon or Five Points. Those areas were sprayed for mosquitoes between 1-5 a.m. yesterday. Last night and tonight, areas within a 2-mile radius of where the bird was found are being sprayed. Mosquito traps are being set to capture mosquitoes + test them for West Nile.
DHEC’s advice? Wear bug spray, cover up, keep A/C running + don’t make a breeding ground for mosquitoes possible – eliminate areas of standing water. Mayor Benjamin says not to panic; but to be vigilant. We’ll probably lay off the fishing pond this weekend.
No one has contracted West Nile in this incident. There’s been one human transmission of West Nile this year, in Beaufort County.
