WNV is here to stay. Take precautions
and protect yourself.
May 27, 2005, Boulder, CO – Like other states across the nation,
West Nile virus (WNV) is here to stay in Colorado. To monitor the
virus activity this summer, Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) has
initiated its surveillance program for mosquitoes. Although no test
results are available yet for WNV, Culex, the type of mosquitoes that
carry the virus, are present.
The first cases of illness from West Nile virus (WNV) were seen in New
York in 1999. New York has seen cases every year since then,
indicating that the virus is now a regular part of the season.
Colorado is no different.
“It’s important to remember that West Nile virus is here to stay in
Colorado,” said Heath Harmon, epidemiologist for Boulder County Public
Health. “Our surveillance system will play an important role in
determining what we can expect this summer, but residents should
already be taking personal precautions to protect themselves against
mosquitoes.”
There is no way to predict the level of mosquito or WNV activity the
county will experience, but because 2004 was a relatively mild year
for mosquito activity in Boulder County, nearly 97% of Boulder County
residents are still at-risk for contracting the virus.
“The best way to protect yourself is to take personal precautions,”
said Chana Goussetis, BCPH health educator. “Like using sunscreen
whenever you’re out in the sun, practicing all of the 4Ds will help
protect you from being bitten by mosquitoes and contracting West Nile
virus.”
The 4Ds are:
-
DEET: Use insect repellant containing at least 10% DEET, or a non-DEET
alternative.
-
DRESS: Dress in long sleeves and long pants.
-
DUSK TO DAWN: Reduce or eliminate outdoor activity between dusk and
dawn.
-
DRAIN: Drain standing water around your property (including
flowerpots, toys, etc.)
In addition to monitoring mosquito levels, public health will be
utilizing several other indicators to track WNV activity. Data will be
collected about birds, horses, and infection rates of mosquitoes.
Testing of mosquito pools began in the county in early May and will
continue throughout the summer. “The key to mosquito control is to
identify breeding areas and eliminate the larvae before they hatch
into adults,” said Joe Malinowski, coordinator of the BCPH Consumer
Protection Program.
BCPH will also be testing birds for the virus since they are often the
earliest indication for presence of the disease in the community. “To
be eligible and accepted for testing, a dead bird must be a member of
the corvid family (includes ravens, crows, magpies, and jays) and have
been dead for less than 48 hours,” said Bonnie Greenwood, BCPH
environmental health specialist. “We will also need to know the exact
location of where the bird was found.”
Birds such as sparrows, starlings, pigeons, finches, robins, small
blackbirds, and songbirds WILL NOT be accepted for testing.
Additionally, dried out, foul, or maggot-infested birds cannot be
tested and will be rejected. If several birds from one area have been
submitted for testing, additional birds from the same area may not be
necessary.
If a bird meets the testing criteria, residents should call the
Colorado HELPline at 1-877-462-2911 or BCPH at 303-441-1564 to find
out if the bird is needed for testing.
In 2004 there were 14 cases of WNV in Boulder County and 291 cases in
Colorado. There were four deaths from the virus in the state - none in
Boulder County. Nationwide, there were 2,470 cases of WNV with 88
deaths.
For more information about West Nile virus, mosquito activity in
Boulder County, or steps to take to protect yourself and loved ones,
visit the BCPH website at
www.bouldercountymosquito.net, or call the
West Nile virus hotline at 1-877-462-2911.
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