A South Carolinian parent urges mosquito spraying at Mullins football field after a rare virus death sparks concern.
Arica Nelson, a concerned parent in Mullins, has been watching the mosquito situation in South Carolina with growing worry.
For weeks, she has noticed an increase in mosquitoes around local areas, especially near outdoor spots where children play.
As a mother, her thoughts often turn to the young football players at the Mullins Recreation Center. Hence, she took to her Facebook to write:
I hope they spray the Mullins recreation football area tomorrow and Tuesday because those mosquitoes are serious
Arica Nelson
In fact, her concern comes at a tense time. Just days ago, health officials in South Carolina confirmed a heartbreaking loss, i.e., the state’s first death from Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, in more than 20 years.
The death occurred in Beaufort County, on the southern coast, but the news has made waves across the state.
Officials with the South Carolina Department of Public Health announced the case on Friday, September 19. Dr. Edward Simmer, the agency’s interim director, said:
Sadly, a person from Beaufort County has died from an infection of eastern equine encephalitis virus.
Dr. Edward Simmer
He stressed that, although human cases are rare, the virus can cause severe illness in those it affects.
EEE has not claimed a life in South Carolina since 2003. This year, though, signs of trouble appeared earlier.
Chasity Samuels commented on her post, “They are terrible around our fields too!“
However, the reported death is in Beaufort, South Carolina, and not in Mullins.
