South Carolina sees West Nile virus outbreak after confirmed cases 16%
By Travis Jacque Rose48%
8/7/2026, 8:12:48 AM
Topics: West Nile Virus, Mosquito Borne Diseases
BS Summary: This article contains 12 faulty reasoning types, including Appeal to Authority, Availability Heuristic, and Anchoring Bias, with Indoctrination as the most egregious example at 19.3% saturation with 105 hits. Analysis detected 395 faulty-reasoning hits from 543 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 24.5% and a BS Rank of 16% (25,789 of 30,584 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 84.30% of the article peer group.
South Carolina health officials have reported two cases of West Nile virus in the Pee Dee region.
The virus is transmitted through infected mosquito bites and cannot be passed from person to person.
While many infected people show no symptoms, some may experience fever, body aches, and fatigue.
In South Carolina, summer and mosquitoes go hand in hand, and this season has already brought health concerns.
On Aug. 5, the South Carolina Department of Public Health reported two human cases of West Nile virus in South Carolina, both diagnosed in the Pee Dee region of the state in Richland County.
Officials state that since both diagnoses were in a similar geographical area, it "indicates sustained West Nile virus activity in the area and meets the definition of an outbreak."
“Most people infected with the West Nile virus have no symptoms,” said Dr.
Abdoulaye Diedhiou, a State Epidemiologist.
“The risk of serious illness is low, with less than one percent of people infected developing encephalitis, a potentially fatal brain swelling.
However, we urge residents in the area to take this alert seriously and take the precautions advised to further lower their risk of contracting the West Nile virus.”
The announcement brings to light the risks of mosquito activity during summer in the Palmetto State.
Here's what we know about the cases.
What is West Nile virus?
West Nile virus is another virus that is spread via the bite of an infected mosquito who get the virus from infected birds.
Every year, around 2,000 people are diagnosed with West Nile in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
South Carolina Department of Public Health officials say that the West Nile virus cannot be passed from person to person.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment available for the West Nile virus, according to state health officials.
West Nile virus symptoms
About one in five people infected with the West Nile virus become ill within two to 14 days of symptoms, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
In some cases, most people infected with the West Nile virus never develop symptoms.
However, for some, the illness can bring fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, rash, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Health officials recommend contacting a healthcare provider if people develop a fever or other symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito.
Reduce your risk of catching the West Nile virus
South Carolina residents can reduce the risk of contracting the West Nile virus by taking a few simple steps to prevent mosquito bites.
Health officials recommend applying insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, IR3535, or 2‑undecanone, following label instructions to keep mosquitoes from biting.
They also advise wearing clothing that limits skin exposure, which further lowers infection chances during peak mosquito activity.
Stop the spread of the West Nile virus
The South Carolina Department of Public Health urges residents to eliminate all sources of standing water on their property, from flower pots and tires to rain gutters and pet bowls, since these areas provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Reach him at trose@gannett.com.
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100%flagged-word coverageCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
22 attributed words8.1% of attributed speech42% writer coverage
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