April
23, 2003 CHEYENNE - Department of Health officials today announced the commencement of surveillance activities for West Nile virus (WNV) for2003 and highlighted preventive measures in eliminating the risks of being bitten by mosquitoes. They also unveiled a new web site with information on WNV and a toll-free number for anyone with questions on the disease - particularly questions on dead bird submissions. The web site is: www.badskeeter.org West Nile virus is historically found in portions of Africa, the Middle East, and Central Europe. In 1999, WNV invaded New York City and has since spread to all but four states in the continental United States. Nationwide last year 4,161 people became ill and 284 people died from WNV infection. However, less than 1 percent of the people infected with WNV become seriously ill. About one-third of the people infected develop flu-like symptoms and the majority of people never get sick. Two non-fatal human cases were reported in Wyoming last year but the number of human infections will likely increase as the virus continues to expand throughout the state, said Terry Creek more, the West Nile virus surveillance coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Health . The state will begin testing of dead birds (crows, magpies, jays, and ravens only) beginning May 1 and running through October. Upon calling the 1-877-WYO-BITE number, if people are asked to send a dead bird they will be advised on how the carcass(es) will be transported to the laboratory for testing. Creek more reminded people to handle the carcass with gloves or put a plastic bag over hands, then double-bag the bird and add an ice pack if available and place the bagged bird in a cool place but not in their refrigerator or freezer. WNV is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito -persons cannot become infected through contact with an infected bird,horse, or human, he said, but it is unwise to handle any dead animal with bare hands. Not every bird that is submitted will be tested. Reasons include birdis too decomposed, excessive birds have already been submitted from the area, bird is wrong species, etc. Results are usually available within 3to 4 weeks. Persons will be notified ONLY IF the bird is positive. Last year, the state public health lab tested 90 human cases with two positives and the state veterinary lab tested 342 horses with 96positives and 273 birds with 20 positives. The "Bad Skeeter: Prevent West Nile Virus" education campaign this year is pretty ambitious, said Ross Doman, public information officer for the department of health. Doman said brochures and pamphlets will be available soon along with a radio campaign and the agency is planning other creative message outlets such as banners for rodeo arenas, wallet cards, bookmarks for school children and even placing messages on the big screen in movie theaters before the show. He said the department of health is teaming with other state agencies and the University of Wyoming to help spread the message.
How to Protect Yourself Common sense steps you can take to minimize the probability of infection include remembering the 5 D's of West Nile Virus: DAWN AND DUSK - When possible, avoid spending time outside at dawn and dusk. DRESS- Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials to keep mosquitoes away from the skin. DRAIN - Reduce the amount of standing water in or near your property by draining and/or removing it. Mosquitoes may lay eggs in areas withstanding water. See below for more information and tips on reducing the amount of standing water in or near your property. You can also protect your family from biting mosquitoes by reducing the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding in or near your property. To reduce standing water, consider the following: - Repair failed septic systems. - Check and repair screens on windows and doors - Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers. - If possible, remove old or discarded tires on your property. Used tires have become the most common mosquito breading site in the country.If you cannot dispose of old tires, you can drill holes in them to allow standing water to drain. - For containers that must remain on your property, such as bird bath sand wading pools, change the water at least once per week. - Cover trash containers to keep out rainwater. - Repair leaky water pipes and outside faucets.- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with predatory fish. - Clean and chlorinate swimming pools even if they are not being used. - Keep drains, ditches, and culverts free of grass clippings, weeds and trash so water will drain properly. - Remove all leaf debris. - Drill holes in the bottoms of all recycling containers that are kept outdoors. - Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall to remove leaves or other debris that may clog the drains or gutters. - Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.- Clean vegetation and debris from the edge of ponds. - Drain water from pool covers. - Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. There are other things that you can do to protect your family from West Nile virus. Consider doing the following: - Install or repair screens for windows and doors that stay open, so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors. - Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors with infants. If you know of specific mosquito control problems or problem areas, call your local city or county public works director, City Hall, or the Board of Supervisors. - For additional protection from mosquitoes, use an
insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide). Spray
clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET because mosquitoes
may bite through thin clothing. - Apply DEET repellent to clothes whenever possible. Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Apply sparingly to exposed skin, and only then if the label permits. - Do NOT apply repellents containing permethrin directly to exposed skin. If you spray your clothing, there is no need to spray repellent containing DEET on the skin under your clothing. - Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. - Do not spray DEET directly on the face. Instead, spray repellent onto the hands and use them to apply it to the face. Remember to avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth and nasal membranes. - Do not apply over cuts, wounds, irritated skin, or under clothing. - To find out if you have a reaction to DEET, apply the repellent to a small area of an arm or leg before general use. - Avoid spraying repellents on plastic (such as watch crystals and eyeglasses), synthetic fabrics, leather, or painted or varnished surfaces. Spraying DEET on these things may cause damage. - Do not spray DEET repellents in enclosed areas as the spray mist is not meant to be inhaled. - Upon returning indoors, wash any treated skin with soap and water. - Wash any DEET treated clothing before wearing them again. DEET products usually repel mosquitoes for several hours. However, repellents are effective only at short distances from the treated surface, so you may still see mosquitoes nearby. As long as you are not being bitten,there is no need to apply more repellant. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. The more DEET a repellent contains the longer time it can protect you from mosquito bites. A higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not mean that your protection is better - just that it will last longer. DEET concentrations higher than 50% do not increase the length of protection. Choose a repellent that provides protection for the amount of time that you will be outdoors. Products with 10 to 35 percent DEET will provide adequate protection under most conditions.When using DEET with children, consider the following: - Use lower concentrations. - Do NOT allow children to apply DEET repellent themselves. - Do NOT use DEET on infants. - Current CDC Guidelines suggest that if a repellent containing DEET is used on children under 2 years of age, only one application per day should be used. Why do we Monitor Dead Birds? The idea is to identify the virus before humans are affected so that public education and mosquito control can reduce the impact. Dead Bird Reporting You will be asked to provide the following information: name, phe is teaming with other state agenconenumber, bird species, number dead, address where bird found, and approximate date of death.If the bird(s) are suitable for testing you will be advised on how to handle and submit the carcasses. If Asked to Send a Dead Bird, handle dead bird with gloves or put a plastic bag over your hand to pick up the carcass. Then double-bag the bird and add an ice pack if available. Place the bagged bird in a cool place but not in your refrigerator or freezer. WNV is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. Persons cannot become infected through contact with an infected bird,horse, or human. You will be advised by the person you speak with at the toll-free number on how the carcass(es) will be transported to the laboratory for testing. Not every bird that is submitted will be tested. Reasons include bird is too decomposed, excessive birds have already been submitted from the area, bird is wrong species, etc. Results For more information,
contact: Ross Doman, Wyoming Department of Health Public Information Officer, (307) 777-6420 |
|
 |
|||||||||||||||
