| August
6, 2002
Little
Rock — In
response to public queries, the Arkansas Department of
Health (ADH) is
issuing guidelines for handling dead crows or
blue jays suspected of carrying the West Nile virus.
“People
should use a glove or a plastic
bag to pick the bird,” Laurie Lacer, ADH
epidemiologist,” said. “You can turn a plastic bag
inside-out and pick up the bird with the hands protected
by the bag if you don’t have a glove. Then turn the
bag right side out and tie or seal it, placing it in a
second plastic bag. In ideal situations, the birds
should be kept on ice until they are delivered to the
local health unit.”
The general public should
avoid barehanded contact when handling any
dead animal. In special cases where the individual is elderly or handicapped and cannot
drive, they call the local health unit and ask that the
birds be picked up by the ADH sanitarian.
West
Nile virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes biting
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 leading to 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,” Dr. Boozman said. “Those at
greatest risk are the very old and those with
compromised immune systems. The surest way to stop the
spread of these mosquito-borne diseases is prevention,
and every household can take action.”
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 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 birdbaths.
-
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.
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 at dawn and dusk.
When it is necessary to be outdoors, wear
protective clothing and use mosquito repellent
containing up to 35 percent DEET
(N,N-diethyl-meta-toulamide).
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
Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reasserted today
that there are no confirmed cases of West Nile virus in
humans in Arkansas. ADH reported yesterday in a press
conference that it has submitted a human blood sample to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for
confirmatory testing.
“Until
we receive results of CDC testing later this week, all
we have is one suspected human case of West Nile virus
in Arkansas, which occurred in Union County,” Fay
Boozman, M.D., ADH director, said. “Additionally, 10
birds have been submitted for confirmatory testing for
the West Nile virus.”
The
Health Department is continuing to monitor the state
with regard to mosquito-borne diseases. The
ADH has established a West Nile virus hotline to respond
to public inquiries.
If you have a question, please call 501.280.4817
from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For after hours and weekends, please call
501.661-2136 or 1.800.554.5738.
Additionally,
the CDC is providing a West Nile virus hotline:
1-888-246-2675; 1-888-246-2857 (Spanish)
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