Press Release
| For More Information Contact: | For Release: |
| Julie Armstrong, Health Educator | Date: 5-23-01 |
| Phone: (937) 642-2053 | |
| Fax: (937) 642-2080 |
Concern Over West Nile Virus Prompts Advice on Reducing Mosquito Population
The
Union County Health Department warns residents of mosquito carried diseases such
as West Nile Virus and La Crosse Encephalitis and offers residents tips to reduce the
mosquito population around the home.
West Nile
West Nile virus is transmitted by the bite of an
infected mosquito. It is widespread in Africa, southern Europe, and western
Asia. It first appeared in the United States in 1999 and had spread to all of
the New England states and south to North Carolina by 2000. It has caused
illness and mortality in humans, wildlife and domestic animals, especially birds
and horses. In humans, it causes an influenza-like illness that may lead to
aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and death, especially in persons over 50 years
of age.
What you can do
to prevent West Nile Virus
Mosquitoes
lay their eggs in standing water, which includes puddles, stagnant ditches, and
containers such as old tires, buckets, cans, neglected swimming pools, etc.
Storm sewers, culverts, and catch-basins, etc. provide an outdoor resting place
for the adult Culex pipiens mosquito (the common house mosquito) which
is most commonly associated with West Nile virus. This mosquito commonly enters
homes through unscreened windows or doors, or broken screens. Prevention
measures include:
 | Make sure that doors and windows have
tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all torn screens in your home. |
| Remove all discarded tires from your property. |
| Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic
pots, or similar water-holding containers. |
| Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean
clogged gutters in the spring and fall. |
| Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor
saunas and hot tubs. If not in use, keep empty and covered. |
| Drain water from pool covers. |
| Change the water in bird baths at least once a week. |
| Turn over plastic wading pools, wheelbarrows, etc. when not in use. |
| Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property. |
| Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties. |
Repellents
If you will be outside during evening, nighttime and dawn hours, consider the use of an
insect repellant containing 10% or less DEET (N, N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide)
for children and no more than 30% DEET for adults. DEET is effective for
approximately four hours. Avoid prolonged or excessive use of DEET and use it
sparingly to cover exposed skin and clothing. Do not use DEET on infants of
pregnant women and do not apply DEET directly to children. Apply it to your own
hands and then put it on the child. Always use DEET according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Remember that that Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense and bug zappers have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites. Community-wide mosquito spraying is also not recommended by the local health department due to its high cost and temporary effect.
Symptoms in humans
Mild infections are common and include fever, headache, and body aches, often with
skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Headache, high fever, neck stiffness,
stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions, and paralysis
mark more severe infection. In some individuals, especially the elderly, West
Nile virus can cause serious disease that affects brain tissue. At its most
serious, it can cause permanent brain damage and can be fatal.
There have been no cases of West Nile Virus, in birds, mosquitoes, or humans in Ohio as of March 16, 2001 according to the Ohio Department of Health.
La Crosse encephalitis is another mosquito carried disease.
One of the most preventable, La Crosse encephalitis is carried by a species commonly called the "tree hole" mosquito. This mosquito breeds in tree cavities that hold water, and in similar areas in which water collects such as old tires, buckets, cans or other man-made items.
There have only been eight known fatalities since 1963 (out of 868 cases), and most victims are children under 15 years old, the average age being 8. As with the mosquitoes that carry West Nile, eliminating places where disease-carrying mosquitoes can breed (such as filling in tree holes, and cleaning up man-made items where water could collect) is the best way to prevent cases of La Crosse encephalitis. In addition, locating trees with cavities or holes that hold water for a week or more can be a breeding site. Drain the hole or fill with cement.
Symptoms develop within 3 weeks after the bite of an infected mosquito. These symptoms include headache, fever, drowsiness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, n=mental confusion, and in some cases seizures.
If you feel you may have symptoms of either West Nile virus or La Crosse encephalitis, speak with your doctor about the possibility. For more information on this issue, you may contact the Union County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at (937) 642-2053. This information can also be obtained by visiting the Ohio Department of Health Web Site at www.odh.state.oh.us.