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September
19, 2006
Little
Rock --
The Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health (DOH) announced today that human cases, birds, mosquitoes and horses infected with West Nile virus this season are increasing. To date, 16 persons have tested positive for the disease in Sebastian – 2, Yell, Saline, Pulaski – 4, Lonoke, Jefferson – 3, Nevada, Hempstead, Lafayette, and Lawrence counties. In 2004, Arkansas had 28 human cases of the virus with no deaths. However, in 2005 there were 28 human cases with three deaths.
Media members are advised that new information on humans, birds, chickens and mosquito pools infected with West Nile virus are posted weekly on the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health, West Nile virus website. The website is at http://www.healthyarkansas.com/westnilevirus.htm. The surveillance update can be viewed at http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov/.
“ A positive test in humans means that careful attention must be paid to the precautions people should take to protect themselves from the virus,” Melody Parsley, Senior Epidemiologist and West Nile Virus program manager said. “This means that you should avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, wear long-sleeved clothing, and protect yourself with a good insect repellent. It’s also a good idea to drain standing water around your home in places where mosquitoes can breed.”
The Division of Health is continuing to monitor the state with regard to mosquito-borne diseases. The CDC is providing a hotline where you may ask questions about West Nile Virus: 1-888-246-2675; 1-888-246-2857 (Spanish). For more information, visit the DOH website at http://www.healthyarkansas.com/
westnilevirus.htm or call the DOH hotline at 1-877-296-9555.
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