| September 26 , 2005 *** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *** Wyoming Department of Health officials announce one more human case of West Nile virus; Horse cases jump in past weekCHEYENNE - One more human case of West Nile virus in a Wyoming resident was announced today by Wyoming Department of Health epidemiologist, Nicole Lindsey. Lindsey said that the new human case involved a female youth from Campbell County who was not hospitalized and is expected to recover fully. This case brings the human WNV count this season to five, she said. The first human case was confirmed in the state on Sept. 13. Regarding regional human cases, as of Sept. 20 the CDC website reported 33 in Utah, 50 in Colorado, 58 in Nebraska, and 190 cases in South Dakota. The department of health public health laboratory had tested 362 human samples for the disease as of Sept. 26. Last year, ten positive cases were identified for the year. In 2003, 393 human cases were discovered in Wyoming. Terry Creekmore, the West Nile virus surveillance coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Health said the number of WNV-positive horse samples had also spiked since Sept. 13, with ten additional horses tallied - including seven in the past week. The total number of horse positives was 23 as of Monday. Four birds had also tested positive. Wyoming Department of Health officials are currently soliciting dead birds for testing for WNV 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 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 neuroinvasive disease (i.e. encephalitis and meningitis). 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. - 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.
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 usually 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 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. - 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. 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 effective insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin. Permethrin may be used on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear. However, permethrin is not recommended for use on bare skin. Spray clothing with repellents because mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. When using any insect repellent or insecticide, 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 repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on product label). Do not use repellents under clothing. - Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. - Do not apply to eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using sprays, do not spray directly on face - spray on hands first and then apply to face. - Do not allow children to handle the product. When using on children, apply to your own hands first and then put on child. You may not want to apply to childrens hands. - Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy application and saturation are generally unnecessary for effectiveness. If biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent, then apply a bit more. - After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe. This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days. Also wash treated clothing before wearing it again. (This precaution may vary with repellents - check the product label). - If you or your child gets a rash or other bad reaction from an insect repellent, stop using the repellent, was the repellent off with mild soap and water, and call a local poison control center for further guidance. If you go to a doctor because of the repellent, take the repellent with you to show your doctor. More information about insect repellents and insecticides can be found on the National Pesticide Information Centers website at http://npic.orst.edu/index.html or at 1-800-858-7378. ..................... 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 its 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 was 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 routine 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 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 October 31, 2005.
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