High Alert: Mosquito Illness Puts Six Kids in Tennessee Hospitals!
Six children in Knox County, Tennessee, have been hospitalized after contracting a mosquito-borne infection called the La Crosse virus in the past nine weeks, as reported by the Knox County Health Department (KCHD). This is the highest number of cases recorded in the area since 2020, and the mosquito season is still ongoing. All the affected children are under 12 years of age.
The La Crosse virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that most people infected with the virus do not show symptoms.
However, when symptoms do occur, they can include fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases, the infection can lead to more severe conditions, such as encephalitis, which is the inflammation of the brain.
Children under 16 years old are the most vulnerable to severe cases of the La Crosse virus. Severe cases typically require hospitalization, though most patients recover with supportive care. Unfortunately, up to 15% of these severe cases can experience major neurological complications.
As the mosquito season continues, especially with the onset of late summer, the KCHD has shared some practical advice to help prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of infection.
They recommend using insect repellents and treating clothing with repellents like permethrin. If you or your child will be outdoors in grassy areas, it’s a good idea to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. Additionally, mosquito netting can be used to cover strollers or baby carriers.
Eliminating standing water is essential to controlling the mosquito population around your home. The KCHD suggests checking your property at least once a week for items that might hold water, such as swings, buckets, toys, and flowerpot saucers. By turning these items over, you can prevent mosquitoes from breeding in them.
This news comes as many families prepare for the back-to-school season. With the regional Gillis Organization stepping up to support the community by donating over 200 fully stocked backpacks at a local McDonald’s on Altamont Avenue in Rotterdam, many parents are feeling the strain of rising costs.
The backpacks, filled with essential supplies like pencil sharpeners, glue sticks, rulers, notebooks, pencil cases, erasers, pencils, pens, and highlighters, aim to ease some of this burden. Julio Morgan Gillis, a McDonald’s owner and operator and head of the Gillis Organization, emphasized the importance of their community involvement.
“We’re not just serving a cheeseburger; we’re also giving a book bag out as well,” he said. “We know that for some people around this time, it’s hard for them to scramble together to get clothing and sneakers, so it’s just one less thing that they have to worry about.”
Events like this not only provide essential resources for students but also strengthen the bond between local businesses and residents. The backpacks serve as a reminder of the power of community support, especially during challenging times.
Read More:
Heartbreaking: Mom Takes Legal Action Over 17-Hour ER Wait That Cost Her Son’s Life!
As the mosquito season continues, families need to stay vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in areas like Knox County, where the risk of infection remains high.