Little Rock—According to preliminary tests, the Tennessee Department of Health has reported that nine dead birds found in Shelby County (Memphis, Tennessee,) appear to be infected with West Nile Virus. The birds, all blue jays, have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for positive testing. Mosquitoes transmit West Nile Virus directly to humans, horses and other animals after feeding on a diseased bird which is the host animal. No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported. 

The Arkansas Department of Health is continuing its surveillance for mosquito-borne viruses in Arkansas and is testing dead birds and mosquitoes for the arboviruses responsible West Nile Virus. Horses and other animals are also tested for West Nile Virus if they show signs of encephalitis. Human blood samples are being taken from patients with viral encephalitis and viral meningitis.

Dr. Tom McChesney, state epidemiologist, says, "Arkansans should report dead birds to the local health unit, so that pick-up or delivery and testing of dead birds can be arranged. Folks in the eastern part of the state are encouraged to be especially alert to this problem, since Memphis is reporting possible West Nile in birds." 

Mosquitoes are a problem to humans because they are annoying, can cause loss of productivity in livestock, and may carry disease. Here are some facts about mosquitoes and the risks they pose to Arkansans:

• When mosquitoes feed on a bird or mammal, they may pick up a virus along with the blood meal. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Not all mosquitoes have a virus in them, but certainly, the more mosquito bites one gets, the greater the risk of catching a disease. Most people that get bitten by an infected mosquito do not get sick. Those persons most at risk for getting sick include people with compromised immune systems and the elderly. There is no specific treatment for arboviral infections; avoiding mosquitoes is the best prevention.
 
• Symptoms of human arboviral infections typically begin within 14 days following the insect bite and consist of fever, headache, rash, muscle and joint aches, listlessness, and possibly encephalitis (swelling of the brain which is the most dangerous symptom).
  
• West Nile Virus was first recognized in the Western Hemisphere in the summer of 1999, when an outbreak occurred in the New York City area, infecting 62 people and causing seven deaths. Many different bird species and mammals, including 25 horses in New York also became infected. In 2000, the virus spread geographically; twelve states and the District of Columbia reported positive findings; there were 21 cases reported in humans, with two deaths in the U.S. As of August 2001, the virus has been detected as far south as Louisiana and Florida and as far northwest as Wisconsin, Iowa and Canada. Human cases of WNV for 2001 as of September 9, 2001: New York (3 cases), New Jersey (1 case), Florida (3 cases), Georgia (1 case - died), Connecticut (3 presumptive cases) and Maryland (1 case). There are no reports of WNV in Arkansas but with possible infected birds in Memphis, Tennessee, WNV could likely travel to our state. Most people infected with West Nile Virus do not get sick. Elderly individuals (fifty years and over) and persons with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness and encephalitis. 
 
• Mosquitoes breed in any body of water, from small containers such as tree holes and tin cans, to large bodies of water like lakes or marshes. These breeding places create a variety of mosquito problems. To help stop mosquitoes from breeding, Arkansans should:
 
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
 
• Remove all discarded tires on your property.
 
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
 
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
 
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
 
• Change the water in bird baths.
 
• Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds.
 
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
 
• Drain water from pool covers.
 
• Use landscaping to eliminate stagnant water that collects on your property.
  
• To protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites, make sure all windows and doors have screens, which are in good repair. You should also stay indoors when mosquitoes are more active. When it is necessary to be outdoors, wear protective clothing and use mosquito repellent (containing 30 percent DEET). Use the following precautions when using repellents containing DEET:
 
• Store out of the reach of children and read all instructions on the label before applying.
  
• Do not allow young children to apply DEET themselves.
 
• Do not apply DEET directly to children. Apply to your own hands and then put it on the child, avoiding the child's face and hands.
 
• Avoid prolonged and excessive use of DEET.
 
• Do not apply repellents in enclosed areas.
 
• Do not apply directly to your face.
 
• Wash all treated skin and clothing after returning indoors.
 
• If you believe you or your child is having an adverse reaction to a repellent containing DEET, wash the treated area immediately and call your health care provider.

The Health Department is continuing to monitor the state with regard to mosquitoes and arboviruses. Health advisories will be issued if necessary. If West Nile Virus is found in Arkansas, the Health Department will immediately issue a health advisory and intensify mosquito control programs. 

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