West Nile Virus -What You Can Do to Protect Yourself (Summer 2002)
August 8, 2002 - This past week dead birds have been found in Neshannock Township, Lawrence County that tested positive for the West Nile virus. In addition, this virus is responsible for several deaths in the state of Louisiana.
The Centers for Disease Control and the PA Department of Health provide information about the West Nile virus through these webpages:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/ (includes map for latest statewide surveillance info)
The following is a summary of that information, provided by Donna Leffler, RN, BSN, Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse of Grove City Medical Center:
The West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and some other animals.
Most people who become infected with the West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones.
On rare occasions, the West Nile virus infection can result in a severe and sometimes fatal illness known as West Nile encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain). The risk of severe disease is higher for persons 50 years of age or older.
There is no evidence to suggest that the West Nile virus infection can be directly spread from person to person and from animal to person.
Call 1-877-PA-Health if you find a dead bird, as birds may indicate the virus' presence in an area. Over 110 species of birds are known to have been infected with the West Nile virus. Although birds, particularly crows and jays, infected with the West Nile virus can become ill or die, most infected birds do survive.
You can further reduce your chances of becoming ill by protecting yourself from mosquito bites. To avoid mosquito bites:
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when you are outdoors.
- Avoid applying repellent to small children less than 2 years old. Use care in applying repellent to small children, and don't put repellent on their hands because it may get into their mouths or eyes and cause irritation.
- Read and follow the product directions whenever you use insect repellent.
- Wearing long-sleeved clothes and long pants treated with repellent will further reduce your risk, as will staying indoors during peak mosquito feeding hours (dusk until dawn).
Limit the number of places available for mosquitoes to lay their eggs by eliminating standing water sources from around your home. Even a small bucket can be home to many mosquitoes in four days. Tips to eliminate standing water include:
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation;
- Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property;
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors. Drainage holes that are located on a container's sides allow them to collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed;
- Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particular if the leaves from surrounding trees have the tendency to plug up drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each year;
- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis;
- Turn over wheelbarrows, and do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths. Both provide breeding habitats for domestic mosquitoes;
- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable, but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate;
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in water that collects on swimming pool covers;
- Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collect on your property. Mosquitoes will help develop in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.
If you have further questions you may contact Mercer County West Nile Virus Coordinator:
James Mondok, Mercer County Conservation District,
747 Greenville Rd., Mercer, PA 16137.
Phone # 724-662-2242
