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August 29, 2002
Little Rock — The
Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) today received from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
early test results indicating two additional human cases
of West Nile virus infection.
The
patients are residents of Jefferson and Union counties. One patient was hospitalized but has been
released; both patients are reportedly recovering from
the infection. This brings Arkansas’ total human cases
of West Nile virus to three.
ADH
Receives Grant from U.S. Department Health and Human
Services
The
department is receiving $398,397 from the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of
a $6 million grant to 14 states and two cities hit
hardest by the West Nile virus. ADH will use the funds
as the CDC recommends for staff and to increase lab
capacity to continue statewide surveillance and testing
for West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Other
specific mosquito-borne viruses include Eastern Equine
Encephalitis and St. Louis Encephalitis (which, similar
to West Nile virus, can be transmitted from diseased
birds to mosquitoes).
Eastern
Equine Encephalitis is considered the most severe
mosquito-borne encephalitis; the fatality rate can
approach 70 percent.
Children are the most likely to have serious
illness. Symptoms
of human Eastern Equine infection 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 Eastern Equine Encephalitis
vaccine for humans.
St.
Louis Encephalitis does not cause disease in animals; it
is strictly a human disease. Arkansas experiences
sporadic cases of St. Louis Encephalitis.
The largest outbreak in recent years was in 1991
in Jefferson County, with 28 hospitalized and five of
those, all over the age of 60, resulting in death.
In 2001, there were two cases of St. Louis
Encephalitis, resulting in one death in Jefferson
County. Most people experience flu-like symptoms. Those
most at risk are the elderly.
The
$1 million released by Governor Huckabee for mosquito
larviciding will reduce the risk of all mosquito-borne
viruses and is considered the most efficient,
cost-effective and environmentally friendly mosquito
abatement program available.
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:
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Store
out of the reach of children and read all instructions
on the label before applying.
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Do
not allow young children to apply DEET themselves.
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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.
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Avoid
prolonged and excessive use of DEET.
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Do
not apply repellents in enclosed areas.
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Do
not apply directly to your face.
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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).
For
more information on West Nile virus, visit our website
at www.healthyarkansas.com/services/westnilevirus_main.htm.
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