NEWS RELEASE
OFFICE OF GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE STATE OF ARKANSAS
State Capitol Little Rock, AR 72201
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State of Arkansas to Spend $1 Million in Emergency
Money for West Nile Virus Protection

Rex Nelson, Director of Communications
(501) 682-3606 Fax: (501) 682-2614
Jim Harris, Director of Press Operations
(501) 682-3508 Fax: (501) 682-2614

Little Rock--Aug. 7--Gov. Mike Huckabee announced Wednesday the state will spend $1 million in emergency money to protect Arkansans from the West Nile virus and will request additional assistance from the federal government.
"There is cause for concern, but we do not have a crisis," Huckabee said. " We are mobilizing to alert people, but there is no reason to alarm the public."

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and the
Arkansas Department of health (ADH) will be working together to help
cities and counties control the mosquito population, the governor said.
West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes. The program will be overseen by ADEM Director W.R. "Bud" Harper with technical assistance provided by
ADH.

"We want to thank Arkansans for their excellent response in submitting
over 300 birds to local health units as part of our surveillance efforts
for West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses," said Dr. Fay
Boozman, director. " The Health Department forwards these birds to the
Arkansas Poultry and Livestock Commission for testing." As a result of 27
birds testing positive for the virus, the Commission sent a representative
sampling of the birds to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and
Prevention and the National Wildlife Health Center for confirmatory
testing. The CDC has confirmed that the 10 birds sent to them by the
Commission are positive for West Nile virus. This, in turn, has validated
the testing methodology by the Commission. The Commission has now
confirmed an additional 42 birds, for a total of 70 positive birds in 21
counties. The affected counties are Arkansas, Chicot, Craighead, Crawford,
Crittenden, Cross, Franklin, Independence, Jefferson, Lee, Lonoke,
Mississippi, Phillips, Poinsett, Pulaski, Sebastian, St. Francis,
Union,Van Buren, Washington and Woodruff.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reasserted today that there
are no confirmed cases of West Nile virus in humans in Arkansas. A human
blood sample that tested positive in health department labs has been sent
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. That patient is recovering and did not go to the
hospital," Huckabee said. Additionally, the department is beginning
testing on nine human blood samples recently submitted by physicians and
various hospitals.

"Very few people bitten by West Nile virus infected mosquitoes experience anything beyond a day or two of feeling mild flu-like symptoms.
Only one percent of those that are infected get seriously ill, " Huckabee
said. "The people we are most concerned about are the very old and those
with compromised immune systems because they are at greatest risk for
getting the disease. The key to stopping the spread of the disease is
getting rid of the mosquito population, and taking precautions."

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. 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. But we encourage folks to exercise good, common sense
when using these chemicals. Limit the use to just what is needed. You
should follow manufacturer's recommendations," said Huckabee.

Use the following precautions when using repellents containing up to
35 percent DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toulamide):

--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 Dead Bird Surveillance program for West Nile virus relies
on its citizens to report and submit dead birds seen around their property
or elsewhere to their local health department. There is no evidence that
handling dead birds can transmit West Nile virus. Arkansans are strongly
encouraged to report and submit dead crows and blue jays. Residents
should take the following steps when they see a dead crow or blue jay:

--A bird cannot be tested if it is decomposed, chewed up, or has ants or maggots on the carcass.

--Avoid bare-hand contact when handling dead birds.

--Use rubber gloves when handling a dead bird. If you do not have gloves, insert your hand into a plastic bag, grasp the bird carefully and invert the bag over the bird. Each bird should be placed in tied plastic bag, and then placed inside a second tied bag. Double- bagging prevents cross-contamination of individual birds and leaking containers that may contaminate vehicles and handlers during transportation. If the bird is to be submitted for testing, take the bird to the nearest local health unit.

In the Little Rock area drop-offs can be made at the Arkansas Livestock and
Poultry Commission.

If you cannot drop off the birds right away, then keep the bird cool in an ice chest or refrigerator not used for food, until such time that it can be delivered to the local health unit.

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 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For after hours and weekends, please call (800) 554.5738.

Additionally, the CDC is providing a West Nile virus hotline:
1-888-246-2675; 1-888-246-2857 (Spanish)

For more information on West Nile virus, visit the ADH website at
www.healthyarkansas.com/westnilevirus.htm.