Nevada Reports West Nile
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Posted on August 13, 2008 with No Comments
From http://news.rgj.com “The Nevada State Health Division has reported the year’s first human case associated with West Nile Virus.
A south Lyon County resident younger than 50 years old has West Nile fever, a less severe form of the West Nile Virus with symptoms of fever, headache, tiredness and body aches.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Ihsan Azzam urged residents to prevent mosquito bites by using mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus and wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Azzam said residents should remove standing water around homes and make sure doors and windows fit properly.
Martha Framsted, public information officer for the state’s Health Division said by the time a case is reported as West Nile virus or fever to the agency, it is weeks to months old.
Framsted said recently the Nevada Department of Agriculture tested 288 mosquito pools and seven of those pools came back positive for West Nile. Four of those seven pools were in Lyon County. Additionally, three swabs from dead birds came back positive.
We are learning a lot about West Nile she said of the disease relatively new to the United States. “It’s here to stay,” she said, adding, we just have to learn to use preventive measures that become permanent behaviors.
Framsted noted that last year the first case of West Nile Fever in a human was detected on Aug. 3.
In addition, owners of horses, donkeys and mules are urged to get their animals vaccinated.
West Nile Virus is typically spread by the bite of a mosquito, which becomes infected by feeding on infected birds.
Most people infected with West Nile Virus will not have symptoms or illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but 20 percent will develop West Nile fever.
About one in 150 people infected will develop West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, more severe forms of the disease that include symptoms of severe headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis.
People who have been exposed to mosquitoes and have symptoms of the more severe illness should contact their health provider immediately.”
This is not the first case, however in the country of West Nile. Remember to look at our previous posts to find mosquito preventative tips.
Category: Flying Insects
