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West Nile Virus news release



Birders and butterfliers can be of help by reporting any dead crows,
jays, or raptors that appear to be less than 48 hours dead.  Thanks! 
Nolan Newton

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [Lhd] West Nile Virus news release
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 15:08:44 -0400
From: Bill.Furney@ncmail.net
Reply-To: Bill.Furney@ncmail.net
Organization: N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services
To: LHD <lhd@dehnet.net>

 Text below is same as attached.

For Release: Immediate Date: Sept. 17, 2001
Contact: Bill Furney (919) 715-4174


West Nile Virus Confirmed in Cabarrus County;
Acting State Health Director Announces Public Health Warning

RALEIGH -- The State Public Health Laboratory today confirmed that a
dead blue jay found in Cabarrus County is positive for West Nile Virus,
the first evidence this year of the disease found in the state. The blue
jay was discovered by a Concord resident last month and reported to the
Pest Management Section of the Division of Environmental Health.  In
response, acting State Health Director Leah Devlin has issued a Public
Health Warning advising residents to be diligent in protecting
themselves against mosquito bites.

=93It=92s important that everyone keep the health risks associated with We=
st
Nile Virus in perspective,=94 Dr. Devlin said. "In most cases West Nile
Virus is usually a mild disease.  We now know that many people in the
northeast were exposed to the virus and didn't even know it.   That=92s
because most people who are exposed to the virus never become sick.  And
while it is prudent to reduce children=92s exposure to mosquito bites, the
biggest focus needs to be on protecting the elderly from exposure.=94

West Nile Virus may cause flu-like symptoms in humans, such as headache,
swollen glands, and muscle aches, as well as a rash.  Usually West Nile
Virus only causes mild disease in humans, but in rare cases the virus
may cause encephalitis and even death.  Elderly people are most likely
to be severely affected by West Nile Virus.

=93Announcing a Public Health Warning is simply our way of reminding
residents to take steps that will prevent mosquito bites,=94 Dr. Devlin
said.  =93We knew that West Nile would come to our state eventually and we
have been working closely with the county-level health and environmental
officials to educate the public on what should be done.  Now is the time
the folks at home should begin to fully employ the preventative measures
we have been telling them about.=94

State mosquito control experts recommend avoiding mosquito contact by
wearing long sleeves and long pants and using a repellent containing low
concentrations of DEET.  Children under five should not use DEET.
Outdoor activities in the evening, when mosquitoes are most active,
should be avoided, as should areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes.
People should check around their homes and empty any containers holding
water such as tires, birdbaths, and flowerpots. Screens should be used
on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.

West Nile Virus was first detected in North Carolina last year in a dead
crow found at Jordan Lake State Park in Chatham County by a conservation
biologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  It is important to
remember that the virus is transmitted to humans when a mosquito bites
an infected bird and then bites a human.  It is not known to pass
directly from birds to humans.

West Nile Virus originates from Africa, west Asia, and Europe.  It was
first found in the United States in the summer of 1999 in New York
City.  Since then West Nile Virus has spread down the eastern seaboard
of the United States and to some Midwestern states.  With the addition
of North Carolina 20 states and the District of Columbia have now
reported evidence of the virus. The other states are Alabama,
Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

Any decision to spray for mosquitoes will be made by local health
officials based upon a number of factors including whether the area of
concern is densely populated and weather patterns.  Experts with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources=92 Public Health Pest
Management Section will collect and test mosquitoes in the area to look
for further evidence of the virus.  Surveillance for the presence of
West Nile Virus in the rest of the state through mosquito and dead bird
collection and testing will continue.  Residents who find dead birds are
encouraged to contact Public Health Pest Management officials by either
calling 1-877-790-1747 or e-mailing NCWNV@NCmail.net.   An online form
for reporting dead birds is also available at
http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm/pages/WNV_Alert/Bird_Form/bird_form.ht=
ml