(MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Ala.) Three people are hospitalized as the County Health Department is investigating five possible cases of West Nile Virus. Officials say possible is the key word as test results have not been verified.
Larvacide tablets are being dispensed all across the county. The plan is to be proactive in battling the threat of the West Nile virus in light of an increased number of cases in Baldwin County.
"We will consider that they are cases of West Nile virus and we are going to spray in those areas. We are going to larvacide and investigate complaints," said Charlotte Plumb who heads the county's Vector Control.
The mosquito-borne virus has so far been detected in sentinel chickens in Spanish Fort, Summerdale, Perdido Beach, Magnolia Springs, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. People over the age of 50 and those with medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease are at greater risk.
"When they become weak if they have tremors or a rash or a rash appearing. Typically 80% of the population do not show symptoms and they can be infected with the West Nile but do not show symptoms so, " said Dr. Debra Hebert at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.
