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October
15, 2002
For
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Little
Rock -- The
Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is reporting eight
confirmed cases of West Nile fever as a result of recent
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
confirmatory testing. The suspect human cases now
confirmed include two in Crittenden County, one in
Faulkner County, one in Jefferson County, one in
Ouachita County and three in Union County.
The
CDC also reported that one suspect case in Jefferson
County has tested negative for West Nile virus.
Birds
have tested positive for West Nile virus in five new
counties: Baxter, Little River, Marion, Miller and
Montgomery. This brings to 58 the number the counties
recording the virus in birds.
RECAP: For the Week Ending October 12, 2002
For
the week ending October 12, 2002, the Department
reported five additional suspect human cases for West
Nile virus, one each for Ashley, Bradley, Faulkner,
Independence and Lawrence counties. These were the first
suspect human cases of West Nile virus for Ashley,
Independence and Lawrence counties.
ADH
also reported that the Independence County suspect case
patient for West Nile virus had died; the cause of death
is as yet undetermined. As with other suspect cases, a
sample was being sent to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing.
Arkansas
has 19 confirmed cases of West Nile virus in humans and
58 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:
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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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