West Nile virus case confirmed in Missouri
, News reporter
09-03-2008
The state’s first human case of West Nile virus this year has been reported to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The 52-year-old man is from St. Louis County where, as of Aug. 26, the Division of Community and Public Health reported 177 mosquito pools in that county tested positive for the virus.
The “Summary of West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis Positive Mosquito Pools by Missouri County” revealed two pools tested positive in Clay County, one in Boone County, one in Butler County and three in Jefferson County. When added to the 177 pools in St. Louis County, that equals 184 pools testing positive for the virus.
The virus first appeared in Clay County in 2002, and each year since, the virus has reappeared. The Clay County Public Health Center will continue to trap mosquitoes and submit weekly reports to the state laboratory. The most recent positive mosquitoes were taken from traps in Smithville, Kearney and Excelsior Springs.
Missouri is most prone to West Nile virus during July, August and September. Typically, the number of human cases rises with the temperatures in August and decline as September’s cooler weather approaches.
“We now see WNV every year in Missouri and anyone can be at risk of serious health problems from WNV infection,” said Dr. Howard Pue, State Public Health Veterinarian. “Prevention is still the best medicine, so people should take some very common-sense but effective steps to reduce their risk of infection.”
Pue said that WNV is here to stay and that mosquito-bite prevention must become a habit. “WNV does not blanket the state, but occurs in ‘hot spots’ where conditions are just right,” said Pue. It is unpredictable and can show up anywhere, so people cannot let up on their diligence in preventing mosquito bites from occurring.
Prevention is pretty simple. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use an insect repellent that contains 35 percent DEET and picaridin, or repellants that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus and insect repellent 3535 which are made of natural materials, on your clothing and skin.
The most dangerous spots for mosquitoes is in wooded areas near standing water. Dawn and dusk are the most active time for the pesky insects.
Eliminate prime mosquito breeding sites, such as birdbaths, pools, buckets, cans and old tires or lids; virtually anywhere that water can accumulate and then go stagnant. If containers fill with water, empty them every three to seven days, thus disrupting the cycle for the eggs to hatch.
Don’t forget the importance of fixing and/or installing screens as additional protection for your family.
The community should be vigilant in reporting dead birds, particularly the American Robin, Common Grackle, American Crow, Blue Jay, Finch, or Sparrow to the county health office. Do not touch the bird or its fluids. Using plastic or latex gloves, place the bird in a double plastic bag and close tightly. Make sure the beak or claws do not puncture the bag. Place the bird and gloves in an outside trash receptacle and wash your hands thoroughly.
“We don’t want to cause undue alarm…The number of West Nile virus cases has gone up the past two years, with five deaths each year,” said Pue.
Most people infected with WNV either show no symptoms or develop a flu-like disease that they might attribute to another cause. Others develop a severe form of the disease and never fully recover. Those that are over 50 and those with other medical conditions are particularly vulnerable.
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