May 12, 2005

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

State Health and Agriculture Officials Ramping Up West Nile Virus Testing for 2005; Emergency Money Avalable to Supplement Mosquito Control Programs for Counties and Municipalities

CHEYENNE - Terry Creekmore, the West Nile Virus Surveillance Coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Health, said today that dead bird and horse testing is underway to monitor the reemergance of the disease in the state. Creekmore said that, thus far, 13 birds and 18 horses have tested negative. Birds and horses provide an early warning because they typically become ill from WNV before humans.

Creekmore also said that the Emergency Insect Management Committee is accepting grant proposals for insect management programs of an emergency nature. Programs would include mosquito management, grasshopper management, and other insect management programs. Applications for the program are available at The Wyoming Department of Agriculture web site: http://wyagric.state.wy.us.

The Emergency Insect Management Committee meeting will be held on May 27 to consider grant proposals. It is open to the public and will begin at 1 p.m. in the Wyoming Department of Agriculture conference room at 2219 Carey Avenue, in Cheyenne. Grant proposals received on or before May 20 will be considered at the May 27 meeting. For more information about this program, contact Roy Reichenbach at rreich@state.wy.us or at 307-777-7321.

Last year, officials from the Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory tested 163 horses and 303 dead birds for WNV. 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.

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