| August
15, 2002
Little
Rock — Based on continued surveillance and lab
testing, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is
reporting 10 additional birds infected with the West
Nile Virus, bringing the total to 119 infected dead
birds statewide. With the additional birds, Bradley,
Clay, Dallas and White counties have now been added to
those in the state affected by the virus.
The
28 affected counties and the number of infected birds
per county include: Arkansas (2), Ashley (4), Bradley
(1), Chicot (7), Clay (3), Craighead (3), Crawford (3),
Crittenden (19), Cross (6), Dallas (1), Faulkner (1),
Franklin (1), Greene (2), Independence (1), Jefferson
(7), Lee (6), Lonoke (2), Mississippi (8), Phillips (6),
Poinsett (3), Pulaski (14), Sebastian (6), St. Francis
(3), Union (3), Van Buren (1), Washington (3), White (1)
and Woodruff (2).
To
date, Arkansas still has no confirmed human cases of
West Nile virus. Two suspect cases from Arkansas County
are at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
for confirmatory testing while ADH screens an additional
16 human blood samples.
Additionally,
two epidemiologic investigative officers with knowledge
of the disease eradication programs in other states
arrived in Little Rock August 13 to assist the agency
with its West Nile virus investigation.
In response to public
queries, the department prefers to accept dead Blue
Jays and crows. These birds are the most susceptible
for contracting the disease and are the best indicators
of viral activity in an area.
If an Arkansan is worried about a particular bird
that is not a Blue Jay or crow, the department will
accept this bird as a precautionary measure.
The agency recommends the following 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 up the bird,” Boozman 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.
A
total of 479 birds have been submitted to the Arkansas
Livestock and Poultry Commission by the health
department for testing.
Boozman
said, “I want to emphasize again that the risk of West
Nile virus to Arkansans is miniscule when compared to
other health problems such as tobacco, obesity and the
lack of physical activity. With proper precautions and
common sense, Arkansans should continue their summer
activities as usual.
For
most people, a bite by an infected mosquito will lead to
no symptoms at all.
For a few, they may experience mild flu-like
symptoms. 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-toluamide).
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 for
mosquito-borne diseases and
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
1.800.554.5738.
The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention West Nile
virus hotline is 1.888.246-2675; 1.888.246.2857
(Spanish).
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