West Nile virus threat enters northern Putnam

RUSSELLVILLE -- Mosquitoes in a pond near the water treatment plant in Russell-ville have tested positive for West Nile virus, council president Don Reddish announced at the town meeting on Monday.

There have been no confirmed cases of humans being infected, but the council is hopeful that Russellville residents won't take any chances.

"If you go outside in the evenings, make sure you have plenty of bug spray with DEET," Reddish said.

The area around the pond has been sprayed, and the weeds trimmed, but the threat will likely remain until a frost kills off the remaining infected mosquitoes.

Town clerk DeVon Davis said she went door-to-door to houses near the area handing out pamphlets that provide information on the virus.

More than a dozen pools have tested positive in the Putnam County since July, though there has not been a confirmed human case.

Only about 20 percent of people infected with the virus will experience significant symptoms, which include headache, body aches, fever, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.

Symptoms may last from several days to several weeks.

For more information, persons may call the Putnam County Health Department at 658-2782.