And finally, tonight, Louisville is reporting a confirmed human case of the West Nile virus.

It's believed to be the state's first confirmed case of 2026.

An infectious disease specialist at U of L health provides some insight on symptoms, treatment and how to avoid the mosquitoes that carry the virus.

More in today's medical news.

West Nile is a it's a virus spread by mosquitoes is the most common mosquito borne illness in the contiguous United States.

Okay.

It is spread about the cool, mosquito.

It is a vector borne illness that, when, a person who is susceptible can become very sick.

The the vast majority of people who get West Nile virus, if they have an attack immune system, they're not usually affected very much, by about 20% of the people who do get West now, they may have sort of flu like symptoms, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, just sort of general flu like things.

Now, but there is a small percentage, however they, it can be fatal to.

And those are people who are immunocompromised, the very young, the very old, those that just have, immune systems that are not, that are not intact, although mosquito borne, transmission is far and beyond the, the, the, the predominant way it is, it can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, possibly through solid organ transplant.

And then there's also vertical transmission from mother to child, potentially.

And that's either during pregnancy, during delivery or during breastfeeding.

Came up with the four DS.

Okay.

First is going to be dress.

You should be dressed long sleeve shirt.

Long pants, very little skin exposure.

Okay.

Secondly, if there's any type of drainage around, from still water around your house that there needs to be drained, there shouldn't be any water freestanding, because that allows for the mosquitoes to breed and nest.

Then there's also dusk to dawn.

Those are the times that mosquitoes are actually out, and a person is more apt to be bit during those times of the day.

The the Deet, the insect repellent, the put on and is it really is EPA approved should to work.

Well, I think the most important thing is, to not panic, okay.

Because the vast majority, you know, people will be bitten.

They may have, but they will be totally asymptomatic.

The people they need to be, the most cautious, if you will, or the very, the very young, the very old and those who are immunocompromised.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness reports mosquitoes carrying the virus were found in a trap near Churchill Downs.

The city has started spraying for mosquitoes in Lexington, is also making plans to target the mosquitoes in parts of the city.

The Lexington Fayette County Health Department says the city will start mosquito spraying tomorrow, thank goodness.