Friday, June 13, 2008
Public Health: Residents should prepare for West Nile Virus
CONTACT: Chana Goussetis, Health Communications Specialist, Boulder County Public Health, 303-441-1457
(Boulder, Colo.) - It’s summer again, and with warmer weather residents are spending more time outdoors. Along with outdoor recreational activities comes concern about the risk of West Nile virus (WNV). While drier conditions led to minimal larval activity in the beginning part of May, rains have helped to increase standing water in many areas of the county.
“The first days of summer, especially after wet weather, should always be a reminder that we must continue to take steps to protect ourselves against WNV,” said Nisha Alden, Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) epidemiologist.
Relatively high Culex mosquito (the type of mosquito that carries WNV) population percentages have been seen across the country thus far this season. Six human cases have been confirmed as of May 31 in Arizona, Mississippi (3), Texas, and Tennessee. Sixteen wild birds and 12 mosquito pools have been confirmed positive for the virus in California, Texas, and South Carolina. There have been no cases of WNV in humans, birds, animals, or mosquitoes to date in Colorado. Full-scale trap surveillance operations began in all areas on June 1, weather permitting.
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to know if the virus will appear in large numbers again in 2008 as it did in 2007,” said Alden. In 2007, Colorado was the first state to report positive human cases of the virus and had 576 cases by the end of the season. Colorado was fourth in the country for human deaths, with a total of seven.
“After five years of observation and study, we now know that weather patterns and the associated Culex mosquito populations are really the best WNV predictors,” said Joe Malinowski, BCPH Consumer Protection Coordinator. “Researchers continue to study the virus and the variables that may lead to more accurate predictions.”
Currently the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), local health departments, and Colorado Mosquito Control are cooperating in a statewide Sentinel Mosquito-borne Disease Surveillance System.
WNV is a disease that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. While most infections are mild, the more serious infections can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (inflammation of the brain's lining); loss of vision; paralysis; coma; tremors; convulsions; and in some cases, death.
Symptoms of WNV include fever, headache, body aches, and can occasionally include skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes. Generally, symptoms appear 3 to 14 days after being bitten by a mosquito. Persons who experience these symptoms should consult with their doctor or local community health clinic.
There is no treatment, cure, or vaccination for WNV; health care providers can only treat the symptoms to help patients feel better and possibly recover more quickly. The only treatment available is prevention.
Public health officials remind residents that, as we enjoy these warm temperatures with outdoor activities, particularly at dusk and dawn, it is important that everyone take action to protect themselves by following ALL of the four Ds. The 4 D’s are:
· DEET - use DEET-enhanced insect repellant or alternative.
· Dress in long sleeves and pants.
· Dusk to dawn - avoid the outdoors.
· Drain standing water outside the home.
For more information about WNV, please visit the BCPH website at http://www.bouldercountymosquito.net/. A pre-recorded message for general information is also available at 303-441-1460. To ask specific questions, call the Colorado Health Information Line for the public at 1-877-462-2911 (available in Spanish and English).
If people suspect they have WNV symptoms, BCPH urges them to consult with their healthcare providers.
-END-
Barbara HalpinBoulder County Public Information Officer
BHALPIN@bouldercounty.org
303-441-1622
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