| August
28, 2002
Little Rock —
The Arkansas
Department of Health today received from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) early test results
indicating a human case of West Nile virus infection.
The patient, a resident of Jefferson County, is not
hospitalized and is recovering.
Additionally,
the Arkansas Department of Health is reporting two more
suspect human cases of West Nile virus, one from
Jefferson County and one from Pulaski County. Samples
will be sent to the CDC for confirmatory testing.
“While
some might see this first case as news, it comes as no
surprise given our statewide surveillance program and
the amount of West Nile virus activity in bordering
states,” Dr. Fay Boozman, ADH director, said. “This
is our first confirmed case but the reality is that we
have most likely had previous cases of humans infected
with West Nile who were not sick enough to seek medical
attention.
“It
is crucial that we maintain surveillance of West Nile
virus and recording the first human case just reinforces
the need for mosquito prevention and abatement. But I
want to remind everyone that 99 percent of those who are
bitten by an infected mosquito will never experience
symptoms severe enough to seek medical attention.”
To date, 14 suspect cases
have/will be (see below) sent to the CDC for
confirmatory testing. Following is a breakdown of the
suspect cases:
|
County
|
Suspect
Cases
|
CDC
Results
|
|
Arkansas
|
3
|
pending
|
|
Crittenden
|
1*
|
pending
|
|
Jefferson
|
5
|
1
positive / 4 pending
|
|
Monroe
|
1
|
pending
|
|
Pulaski
|
2
|
pending
|
|
Union
|
2
|
1
negative / 1 pending
|
|
*
Results sent to private lab by physician. ADH
has requested
samples and will send to CDC if suspected
positive.
|
West
Nile virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes biting
humans, horses and other animals after feeding on
diseased birds, which are the host animals.
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 or only show very mild or no
symptoms. 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).
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).
###
|
