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June
11, 2003
Little
Rock -
The Arkansas Department of Health has activated
its automated West Nile virus phone line.
The toll free number is 1.877.296.9555 or in
the Little Rock area 296.9555.
The phone line instructs callers about issues
connected with the disease including: how humans
contract the disease; the symptoms of West Nile virus;
protection from the disease; decreasing mosquitoes in
the home environment; and testing of dead birds.
Dr.
Sharon Williams, state public health veterinarian said,
“The West Nile virus phone line is an important
service for Arkansans concerned about this disease.
This service operates 24/7, so residents can get
an immediate answer to questions they might have about
the virus.
We also encourage those with internet access to
go to the health department website at http://www.healthyarkansas.com/westnilevirus.htm
for more information.
An educated public is our best defense against
the spread of West Nile.”
The
phone line is being provided through a grant from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr.
Fay Boozman, ADH Health Director, said, “We have to
run our agency like a family runs the home budget.
We simply cannot spend dollars on things we
don’t need.
The local health units in these eight counties
are the lowest in terms of patients walking in the front
door.
Yet, we are trying to staff these units for a
full patient load.
We are committed, however, to providing clinic
services in every county and will never fall down on
that commitment.
We have based our projections for the number of
days that we are open in each of these counties on
patient need.
We believe we will be able to serve our clients
in these counties effectively.”
The
department will continue to provide clinic services like
WIC, immunizations, etc. at each of these clinics on the
days the clinics are open.
Citizens in the affected communities are
encouraged to call their local health units for more
information.
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