[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

[Fwd: West Nile virus release - 5 new animal cases]



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: West Nile virus release - 5 new animal cases
Date: Tue, 09 Oct 2001 15:02:04 -0400
From: Kimberly Hattaway <Kimberly.Hattaway@ncmail.net>
Organization: NC DENR DEH
To: Local Health Directors <lhd@dehnet.net>,Enivronmental Health
Listserv <ehl@dehnet.net>,"wnv.core.team" <wnv.core.team@ncmail.net>

Attached and below is a release sent out this afternoon on the latest 
West Nile virus activity in North Carolina.  



West Nile Virus Found in NC Crows, Horses

RALEIGH -- The State Public Health Laboratory today reported that five 
new cases of West Nile virus have been found in North Carolina. The cases 
include two crows in Currituck County, one crow in Mecklenburg County, 
one horse in Hyde County, and one horse in Camden County.  

Earlier findings of West Nile virus in the state this year include a blue 
jay found in Cabarrus County and a crow found in Camden County, both 
reported in September.  

When West Nile virus was first detected in the state on September 17, 
acting State Health Director Leah Devlin issued a Public Health Warning 
advising residents to be diligent in protecting themselves against 
mosquito bites. This warning remains in effect.  

=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 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 everyone's 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 the virus may occasionally 
cause encephalitis, meningitis, and even death.  Elderly people are most 
likely to be severely affected by West Nile Virus.  

State mosquito control experts recommend avoiding mosquito bites by 
wearing long sleeves and long pants and using a repellent containing low 
concentrations of DEET (30%-35%).  Children should use 10 percent 
concentrations of DEET and 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. In addition 
to protecting themselves from mosquito bites, North Carolina residents 
can help reduce the health risk from West Nile virus by reporting dead or 
dying birds to public health officials. The three kinds of birds that are 
of particular concern are crows, blue jays, and hawks, but residents 
should report any bird behaving strangely. Birds reported should be no 
more than 48 hours dead. Residents are encouraged to report birds to  
their local health departments. Birds can also be reported to the Public 
Health Pest Management Section at 1-877-790-1747 or via e-mail at 
NCWNV@NCmail.net. More information on reporting birds and an online form 
for reporting dead birds is also available at 
www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm/deadbirdform/index.html.  

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 or from human to human.  

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 Midwestern and Gulf 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, Mississippi, 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 and wild birds 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.  

------- End of forwarded message -------