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Lenoir County confirms case of West Nile virus in resident

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Health officials in Lenoir County have confirmed a human case of West Nile virus, the county’s Health Department announced Monday.

What You Need To Know

  •  A Lenoir County resident tested positive for West Nile virus, health officials confirmed Monday

  •  The resident had been exposed to bites from infected mosquitoes

  •  The CDC says most will not develop symptoms, but those that do may experience fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash

  • Officials say to contact a health care provider if infection is suspected


An infected mosquito bit the Lenoir County resident, officials said, which is how the disease is most commonly spread.

“Since we have identified a case in a Lenoir County resident, we are concerned that more mosquitoes in the county are carrying the virus,” Health Director Pamela Brown said in a release.

Lenoir County is in eastern North Carolina and includes the City of Kinston, about 75 miles southeast of Raleigh.

Symptoms commonly start between days two and six after being bitten, but can start anywhere from two days to two weeks.

The virus has also been found in Durham and Pitt counties, according to state health officials. 

Roughly 80% of those infected will not develop symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“About 20% of people who are infected develop flu-like symptoms, such as a fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash,” the CDC said. “Most people with mild illness due to West Nile virus recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.”

The Lenoir County Health Department offers the following tips to help protect yourself from bites and infection:

  • Using an EPA-registered insect repellent with active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 1-undecanone
  • Wearing loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants
  • Treating clothing and gear with permethrin (an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes)
  • Taking steps to control mosquitoes by keeping windows and doors shut and ensuring screens have no holes, emptying items that hold water, like vases and flowerpot saucers, once a week, treating outdoor areas using larvicides for large containers of water not used for drinking that cannot be covered or dumped out, spraying outdoor patio furniture or garages with insect spray where mosquitoes rest, and always following label instructions

Anyone who thinks they have been infected or are experiencing symptoms is asked to call a local health care provider.

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Justin Pryor

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