| August 13, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wyoming West Nile Virus Cases Increase SharplyWith 34 total cases reported to the Wyoming Department of Health for 2007, the number of West Nile virus infections in Wyoming residents has nearly tripled over the last ten days. Twenty-seven of the 34 reported cases have been in Fremont County. There have also been two cases reported each in Campbell, Crook and Goshen (includes one death) counties and one in Natrona County. Sixty-five human cases and two deaths were reported in Wyoming last year. There were 12 human cases with 2 deaths in 2005; 10 human cases with no deaths in 2004; and 393 human cases with 9 deaths in 2003. Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus after they feed on infected birds and then bite people, other birds and animals. “West Nile virus infection is largely preventable,” said Janae Stovall, surveillance epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program. “People need to take responsibility for their personal protection by using an insect repellent and wearing appropriate clothing to keep mosquitoes away to prevent mosquito bites.” Stovall suggests people use a repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide). Label instructions should be read and followed. In most circumstances, products with 10 to 35 percent DEET provide adequate protection; reapplication maybe be needed depending on how long people are outdoors. Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET because mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing. Permethrin should not be used on bare skin. Another insect repellent, Picaridin (KBR 3023), is also highly effective. “We’re sometimes asked about whether it is effective to use both a DEET repellant and a sunscreen,” Stovall said. “Both products have important functions and people can certainly use them at the same time.” Stovall recommended putting sunscreen on first, followed by the repellant. Avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk and draining standing water are also important protection strategies. Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. Of those who become ill, symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. A very small percentage of infected persons develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease (meningitis or encephalitis) with symptoms such as severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions and paralysis. People with West Nile virus-related symptoms should contact a medical professional. The Wyoming Public Health Laboratory offers free WNV testing for healthcare providers with suspected cases in their patients. More West Nile virus information is available at www.badskeeter.org or by calling 1-877-WYO-BITE. - end - |
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