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September
30, 2002
For
Monday, September 30, 2002
(Little
Rock--) The
Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is reporting two
additional suspect human cases for West Nile virus, one
each in Pulaski and Drew counties. This is the first
suspect human case of West Nile virus for Drew County.
Samples are being forwarded to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing.
Results are expected within three to four weeks.
Birds
have tested positive for West Nile virus in five new
counties: Boone, Izard, Garland, Nevada and Saline. This
brings to 53 the number of counties recording the virus
in birds.
RECAP:
For the Week Ending September 28, 2002
Last
week the Department reported that one suspect human case
for West Nile virus in Union County had died; the cause
of death is as yet undetermined. As with other suspect
cases, a sample was sent to the CDC for confirmatory
testing.
ADH
also reported two new confirmed human cases of West Nile
virus, one new suspect case of West Nile virus in a
human and one suspect case of St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE)
in a human. The confirmed cases were in Arkansas and
Jefferson counties; the new suspect case for West Nile
was in Jefferson County; the SLE suspect case was in
Pulaski County. The suspect cases were sent to the CDC.
SLE,
a mosquito-borne virus, does not cause disease in
animals; it is strictly a human disease. Arkansas
experiences sporadic cases of SLE. In 2001, there were two cases of SLE, resulting in one death
in Jefferson County. Most people experience flu-like
symptoms. 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.
Those most at risk are the elderly.
For
more information about SLE, visit the
CDC website fact sheet at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/slefact.htm.
With
these additions, Arkansas has 11 confirmed cases of West
Nile virus in humans and 52 counties affected by the
virus based on testing of dead crows and blue jays. For
a complete list and to view current updates, visit the
ADH website at www.healthyarkansas.com/westnilevirus.htm. For specific
bird information, visit the Arkansas Livestock and
Poultry website at www.arlpc.org.
West
Nile Virus: How to Protect Yourself While Outdoors
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).
For
more information on West Nile virus, visit our website
at www.healthyarkansas.com/services/westnilevirus_main.htm.
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