YORK COUNTY, S.C. — York County health officials started spraying for West Nile virus for a third time this year Sunday night.
Kip Plummer, with Gregory Pest Solutions, is spraying in the one-mile radius surrounding the intersection at North Sutton Road and Mills Lane in the Baxter area of Fort Mill.
The company will use a product called Aqua-reslin. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control says the material is not harmful to people, pets, other insects and gardens, but is not recommending residents get in the path of the spray.
The goal is to kill mosquitoes that may carry the virus. The virus is a disease transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.
"I'm thankful they are spraying, but we definitely won't be outside," resident Christie Kotula said. "Yeah, a little concerned, but there's only so much we can do."
Resident Paul Willis said he is doing his part by “just making sure that there's not a lot of standing water or swarms of mosquitoes."
The spraying started about 8 p.m. Sunday and will continue through early Monday morning.
"It's somewhat concerning because there's a lot of mosquitoes out here,” resident Andy Cook said.
The spraying will come days after the SCDHEC confirmed a case of West Nile virus in York County this week.
SCDHEC is advising residents to eliminate areas of standing water, use insect repellent, keep skin covered and keep windows and doors closed.
[MORE: Second case of West Nile confirmed in York County]
It is not uncommon for mosquitoes in the area to test positive for West Nile.
According to infectious disease specialist Dr. Arash Poursina, from Piedmont Medical Center, about 80 percent of people with the virus never show symptoms.
The process of spraying for mosquitoes is common in other parts of South Carolina, especially near the coast.
There have been at least 17 cases of the West Nile virus in South Carolina this year. The most recent was in the Rock Hill area. There was another positive case in the Oakdale community 13 miles away.
Residents in York County are taking extra precautions before they go outdoors.
"My son and I both get eaten alive so (we) always have bug spray on us when we can,” Kotula said.
Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. About one in five people infected get sick within two to 14 days with symptoms including fever, headache, joint pain, muscle pain and more.
Officials say there is no specific cure for West Nile virus.
To learn more about mosquitoes and protection, visit the SCDHEC website.
For any questions or concerns regarding the mosquito control spraying effort, call the York County Office of Emergency Management at (803) 326-2300.
Cox Media Group
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