August
9, 2004
www.BADSKEETER.ORG
1-877-WYO-BITE
BADSKEETER@STATE.WY.US
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***
State health officials identify three more human cases of West Nile
virus
CHEYENNE -- Wyoming Department
of Health officials said today that three more cases of West Nile
virus in humans have been identified, bringing the state total to
four.
State Health Officer, Dr. Brent
Sherard, said the new cases include an adult male and an adult female
from Weston County and an adolescent male from Campbell County.
On June 4, an adult male from Campbell County became the first Wyoming
resident identified with West Nile virus this year.
Sherard said that while the
three new cases were tested and confirmed recently, their physicians
reported onset dates in May, July, and August. "Last year,
August was our big jump in West Nile cases," he said. "It's
still not clear what the magnitude of the disease activity will
be this year."
As of Aug. 6, the state public
health laboratory had tested 409 human samples for the disease with
these four positives. The CDC website was reporting, as of Aug.
3, 407 human cases of WNV in the nation this year, with seven deaths
(http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/surv&controlCaseCount04_detailed.htm).
In 2003, the Wyoming state lab
tested 1,824 human samples with 393 cases and nine deaths. Terry
Creekmore, the West Nile virus surveillance coordinator for the
department of health, said that 27 horses and six birds have tested
positive for the disease this season at the State Veterinary Laboratory.
Creekmore has tested 56 horses and 76 dead birds this year. People
with questions about WNV in horses should call Dr. Todd Cornish
at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory at (307) 742-6638.
Wyoming Department of Health
officials are currently soliciting dead birds for testing for WNV
although the state lab prefers to test only crows, magpies, jays,
and ravens and will continue to do so until the end of October.
Those finding raptors such as hawks, owls, or eagles should contact
the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to arrange for carcass transport
and testing. People with questions about other bird species should
call Dr. Cornish at the number above.
People who find a dead bird
on their property should not send it to state or local health agencies
but call the health department's West Nile virus toll-free number
at 1-877-WYO-BITE for instructions. They will be asked to provide
the following information: name, phone number, bird species, number
dead, address where the bird was found, and approximate date of
death. If the bird(s) are suitable for testing people will be advised
on how to handle and submit the carcass. 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 are usually available within 1 week.
Persons will be notified ONLY IF the bird is positive.
People with mild WNV infections
may experience fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen
lymph glands. This is called West Nile fever. People with more severe
infections may experience high fever, headache, neck stiffness,
stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, and paralysis.
This is called West Nile encephalitis. If you have any of these
symptoms, contact your health care provider.
Anyone from infants to the elderly
can get WNV, however people over 50 years of age have the highest
risk of developing a severe illness. People with compromised immune
systems are also at increased risk.
Information on WNV and prevention
strategies are available on the website at www.badskeeter.org or
by calling 1-877-WYO-BITE.
By following the "5 D's" people can eliminate
breeding sites for mosquitoes and avoid getting bitten:
(1) DAWN AND (2) DUSK - When possible, avoid spending
time outside at dawn and dusk.
(3) 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.
(4) DRAIN - Reduce the amount of standing water
in or near your property by draining and/or removing it. Mosquitoes
may lay eggs in areas with standing water. See below for more information
and tips on reducing the amount of standing water 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
baths and 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.
- 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.
(5) DEET - 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. Products containing DEET
must be used properly. When Using DEET, be sure to Read and follow
instructions on the label to avoid excessive use and over-application.
In most circumstances products with 25 to 35 percent DEET provide
adequate protection for adults.
| WEST
NILE VIRUS FACT SHEET |
|
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that can
cause encephalitis or brain infection. It 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.
Mosquitoes spread this virus after they feed on infected birds
and then bite people, other birds and animals. WNV is not
spread by person-to-person contact and there is no evidence
that people can get the virus by handling infected animals.
Surveillance for West Nile virus was initiated in Wyoming
in 2001 and currently involves the reporting and testing of
dead birds, and the testing of sick horses. Suspected human
cases are also tested in the Wyoming Department of Health's
public health lab. People with mild infections may experience
fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
This is called West Nile fever. People with more severe infections
may experience high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor,
disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, and paralysis.
This is called West Nile encephalitis. If you have any of
these symptoms, contact your health care provider. Please
see your primary care physician for more details.
About Encephalitis
West Nile virus human cases in Wyoming occur primarily in
the late summer or early Fall, although the mosquito season
is April through October. The majority of people who get infected
with the virus have no illness, or at most, have an infection
similar to a mild flu with fever, headache and fatigue. Rarely
will the virus multiply in the central nervous system and
cause the brain disease called encephalitis.
It can occur however. In fact, two-thirds of people who develop
encephalitis or meningitis have serious long-term health problems
and some people never fully recover.
Wyoming has three kinds of arboviral encephalitis: West Nile
encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis, and Western Equine
encephalitis. An arboviral Encephalitis is an infectious disease
that affects the brain. The disease is caused by a virus which
attacks and destroys some nerve cells and causes brain inflammation
and swelling. Encephalitis arboviruses belong to several families
of viruses that usually infect birds and are transmitted from
bird to bird by mosquitoes.
What is West Nile encephalitis?
West Nile encephalitis is caused by West Nile virus, a flavivirus
previously only found in Africa, Eastern Europe, and West
Asia. West Nile virus is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis
virus (SLEV) which is found in the United States and to the
Japanese Encephalitis virus from South East Asia and to Murray
Valley fever virus from Australia and New Guinea.
How can I get it?
The principle route of human infection is through the bite
of an infected mosquito. In 2002, additional routes became
apparent; however, this represented a very small proportion
of cases. These routes include receiving transplanted organs
and blood transfusions, transplacental and possibly breast-feeding
transmission, and laboratory workers working with West Nile
infected products.
Who is most at risk?
Anyone can get the virus; however, people over 50 years of
age have the highest risk of developing a severe illness because
as we age, our bodies have a harder time fighting off disease.
People with compromised immune systems are also at increased
risk.
What are the symptoms?
People with mild infections may experience fever, headache,
body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. This is called
West Nile fever. People with more severe infections may experience
high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation,
coma, tremors, convulsions, and paralysis. This is called
West Nile encephalitis. If you have any of these symptoms,
contact your health care provider.
Are there long-term consequences?
While most infections are usually mild, West Nile Encephalitis
can result in death or serious brain damage. The CDC notes
that neurological effects may be permanent. Some improvements
may be seen over time.
Is there treatment or a vaccine?
There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection,
nor a vaccine. While most people fully recover from the viral
infection, in some severe cases hospitalization may be needed.
|
How to Protect Yourself
Although mosquitoes are most active at dusk or dawn, some bite during
the day. All mosquitoes will bite if you enter an area where they
are resting, such as high grass or heavy underbrush. While it is
not necessary to limit outdoor activity (unless there is evidence
of mosquito-borne disease in the area), you can and should reduce
your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.
Common sense steps you can take to minimize the probability of infection
include remembering the 5 D's of West Nile
Virus:
(1) DAWN AND (2) DUSK - When possible,
avoid spending time outside at dawn and dusk.
(3) 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.
(4) DRAIN - Reduce the amount of standing
water in or near your property by draining and/or removing it. Mosquitoes
may lay eggs in areas with standing 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
baths and 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.
- 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.
(5) DEET - 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. Products containing DEET
must be used properly. When Using DEET, be sure to Read and follow
instructions on the label to avoid excessive use and over-application.
In most circumstances products with 25 to 35 percent DEET provide
adequate protection for adults.
- 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?
Birds and horses typically become infected with West Nile virus
(WNV) before humans, so dead birds and sick and dead horses are
an indicator of WNV activity. We use animal surveillance to map
the distribution and prevalence of WNV so that health and mosquito
control officials are aware of it's presence and can take whatever
measures are available to mitigate the impact of WNV on human and
equine populations. 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
Report only dead crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. If you find a
dead bird on your property, DO NOT SEND it to state or local health
agencies. Call the West Nile toll-free number at 1-877-WYO-BITE
for instructions. You will be asked to provide the following information:
name, phone number, 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
Results are usually available within 2 weeks. Persons will be notified
ONLY IF the bird is positive.
The Wyoming Department of Health will continue to test jays, magpies,
crows, and ravens from the state between May 1 and Oct. 29, 2004.
For more
information, contact:
Ross Doman, Public Information Officer, Wyoming Department of Health,
(307) 777-6420
Terry Creekmore, Wyoming Department of Health West Nile Virus Surveillance
Coordinator, (307) 760-8626
{back to press page} |
