Although mosquitos have been plaguing us all summer, it wasn’t until last week that the season’s first case of West Nile Virus was reported in Lincoln County.

The seriousness of this mosquito-borne illness was made abundantly clear last year when the nation was hit by the worst outbreak of the virus since 2003. In 2012, the state logged 247 cases of the disease and five deaths. Lincoln County ranked fourth in the state for the most cases last year, with 12 incidences, including one fatality.

Besides Lincoln County, West Nile cases have also been reported this year in Forrest (2), Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery and Wayne counties. A horse tested positive for West Nile Virus in Lawrence County, and mosquito samples have tested positive in the additional counties of Hinds, Jones, Leflore and Washington.

Persons over the age of 50 are more severely affected by West Nile Virus. In addition to humans and horses, the disease also afflicts some bird species, particularly crows and blue jays.

“The risk of a healthy person getting West Nile virus from a mosquito bite is ‘very low’; however, all people still should protect themselves,” according to the Mississippi Department of Health website.

The recent WNV case in the county is certainly more than reason enough for all of us to take time now to work on preventing the opportunity for getting bitten in the first place.

Use a mosquito repellent with DEET when working or playing outdoors, particularly between dusk and dawn, which is when mosquitos are the most active. Wear long-sleeved, long-legged clothing and socks and shoes if possible.

Eliminate mosquito breeding areas by removing containers that can hold standing water around your property. Also keep your yard and shrubbery neatly pruned, and remove leaf debris to minimize places where the insects can gather.

An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure, so be safe and protect yourself and others. If you know about a mosquito hazard on public property, notify the appropriate city or county officials so the issue can be corrected.