There are a total of 28 human cases of West Nile virus reported in Arkansas in Ashley (1), Chicot (1), Clark (1), Craighead (1), Desha (1), Drew (1), Izard (1), Garland (1), Greene (1), Jefferson (2), Lincoln (1), Lonoke (1), Mississippi (1), Nevada (1), Ouachita (1), Phillips (1), Pope (1), Pulaski (6), Scott (1), Sebastian (1), and Union Counties (2). However, in 2004, no deaths have been attributed to West Nile virus.

As of this date, ADH has reported birds testing positive for West Nile virus in a total of 36 counties: Arkansas, Ashley, Baxter, Benton, Boone, Bradley, Carroll, Chicot, Crawford, Crittenden, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Independence, Lawrence, Logan, Lonoke, Miller, Mississippi, Ouachita, Pike, Poinsett, Polk, Pope Pulaski, Saline, Scott, Sebastian, Union, Van Buren, Washington, White, and Woodruff Counties. The ADH will no longer be accepting birds for testing in any county where a bird has tested positive this year. Thus far in 2004, mosquito pools have tested positive in Ashley, Crittenden, Greene, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, Randolph, and Sebastian, St. Francis Counties.

The following protective measures are recommended:Make sure all windows and doors have screens in good repair. Stay indoors when mosquitoes are more active, usually from dusk to dawn. When it is necessary to be outdoors, wear protective clothing and use mosquito repellent containing up to 35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-tolamide). 

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.Do not apply repellents to clothing or to skin that is covered by clothing.
• Do not apply repellents in enclosed areas.
• Do not apply directly to your face.
• Wash all treated skin after returning indoors.

If you believe you or your child are having adverse reactions to a repellent containing DEET, wash the treated area immediately and call your health care provider.

Mosquitoes can breed in any body of water, from small containers such as tires 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 from 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 birdbaths.
• Clean vegetation and debris from the edge 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.

West Nile virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes to humans, horses and other animals after feeding on diseased birds, which are the host animals. Symptoms of human West Nile Virus infections typically begin within 14 days following the insect bite and consist of fever, muscle and joint aches, listlessness, and in most severe cases, headaches which may indicate encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection; avoiding mosquitoes is the best prevention.

“Very few people bitten by West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes experience anything beyond a day or two of feeling mild flu-like symptoms,” Harris said. “Those at greatest risk are the very old and those with underlying health problems. The surest way to stop the spread of these mosquito-borne diseases is prevention, and every household can take action.” Last year, 26 West Nile infections were reported in Arkansas residents; there were no deaths from West Nile Virus in 2003.

For more information call the ADH Health Information Line at 1.877.296.9555 or the CDC West Nile virus hotline at 1.888.246-2675; 1.888.246-2857 (Spanish). For more information, visit the ADH website at www.healthyarkansas.com/services/westnilevirus_main.htm.