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For Immediate Release •
August 28, 2008
Staff Contact: Sara Evans, Environmental Health Manager, Weld County Public Health, 970-304-6415, ext. 2201
View the most recent Press Releases.
For more West Nile Virus Information
August 28, 2008 - The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment is seeing a late season surge in the mosquito populations and human cases of West Nile virus in Weld County. There are nine confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Weld County and 37 in Colorado to date. In Weld County, three of the nine confirmed cases have neuroinvasive disease.
Mosquito populations have climbed with the recent moisture and hot weather in Weld County. Trap surveillance data show there are a high number of Culex Tarsales mosquitos, the species that carry West Nile virus, in Weld County, according to Sara Evans, Environmental Health Manager at the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment. During the week of August 18 – 22, 50% of the mosquitos in Greeley, Evans and Kersey area were Culex Tarsales and a high number of those were infected with West Nile virus.
Dr. Mark Wallace, Executive Director of the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment said, “West Nile season in Weld County is peaking late this year. With the Labor Day weekend here, Weld County residents need to be aware that the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito is high. Everyone needs to wear mosquito repellent when outside to protect against West Nile virus infection.”
West Nile virus symptoms may appear in 3 – 14 days after infection. Initial symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and weakness and rash. West Nile fever refers to typically less severe cases that show no evidence of neuroinvasion.
West Nile encephalitis and West Nile meningitis are forms of severe disease that affect a person’s nervous system. Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord.
Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, vision loss, paralysis and even death. If a person or someone in their family develops symptoms, they should contact their health care provider.
Recommendations for preventing mosquito bites and West Nile virus are:
Wear repellent every time you are outside during the day or evening. In the evening, wear light weight long sleeves and pants.
Use products containing these active ingredients that typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection:
• DEET (Chemical Name: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethly-3-methyl-benzamide)
• Picaridin (KBR 3023, Chemical Name: 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester )
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus* or PMD (Chemical Name: para-Menthane-3,8-diol) the synthesized version of oil of lemon eucalyptus
• IR3535 (Chemical Name: 3-[N-Butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester)
Read the label carefully for instructions on how to apply and reapply repellent so it is effective.
Get rid of any standing water around the house at least every three days.
Fix window and door screens to keep mosquitos out of the house.
If you are outside for long periods of time, there are certain products containing permethrin that are recommended for use on clothing and shoes for additional protection.
For more information on repellents visit www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.ht
For more information on West Nile virus and mosquitos, call the Co Help hotline at 1-877-462-2911 or visit www.FighttheBiteColorado.com or www.cdc.gov
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