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Nearly a dozen West Nile cases in SC; 2 reported in Rock Hill

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — There have been 11 cases of West Nile virus in South Carolina, including two in Rock Hill.

[RELATED: Officials to spray in Rock Hill neighborhood after West Nile scare]

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control officials have now set mosquito traps for further testing within a two-mile area.

[LINK: CDC information on West Nile virus]

The city will increase its mosquito spraying as a precaution Friday.

Officials will also treat any standing water where mosquitoes tend to breed.

Crews began spraying for the most recent case near Baylor Drive in Rock Hill.

Officials said about 80 percent of infected people do not show symptoms.

A truck sprayed around a neighborhood Tuesday night near Baylor Drive, where the last positive case in York County was found. Some here worry that's not enough.

Darren Lingerfelt and his family rarely come outside after learning that someone in the neighborhood tested positive for West Nile virus.

"Wow, it didn't know it was going to be in this area. It's so close," Lingerfelt said.

They worry about their young daughter.

"She is so young, I wouldn't want anything to happen to her," he said.

Last month, there was another positive case in the Oakdale community 13 miles away.

The city sprayed there, too.

Residents who have followed all the state's advice wonder if spraying helps.

"It’s kind of scary," resident Joan Lucas said.

South Carolina has had confirmed cases in Beaufort, Greenville, Horry, Richland, Union and York counties and one death in Anderson County.

There have been infected animal cases in Anderson, Beaufort, Colleton, Greenville, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, Saluda and York counties.

Also, there have been infected bird cases in most of the same counties.

"We have had 11 human cases," said Dr. Melissa Overman, assistant state epidemiologist.

She said the numbers are not spiking.

"The season, thus far, is comparable to previous seasons," Overman said.

Channel 9 asked if the one-mile radius spray is enough.

"We are using the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s) recommendations," Overman said.

She said the CDC is studying developing science on the West Nile virus.

State health officials said they are monitoring the areas where West Nile has popped up and they are actively working to contain the threat.

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