Protecting You and Your Community from West Nile Virus. Eagle County Environmental Health Department

Transcription

1 Protecting You and Your Community from West Nile Virus Eagle County Environmental Health Department

2 What is West Nile virus? West Nile virus causes illness in people, horses, and birds. Most people are not seriously affected however, West Nile illness can be very serious and cause death or disability.

3 How do you get West Nile virus? It is spread from the bite of infected mosquitoes. You cannot get West Nile virus directly from other people, horses, or birds. Less common ways it is spread: It is very rare, but possible, to get West Nile virus by receiving blood or an organ transplant. It is NOT possible to get West Nile virus by donating blood or an organ. Pregnant or nursing mothers may pass the infection to their baby.

4 Is West Nile virus new? Previously found in Africa, Middle East, West and Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. The name, West Nile Virus, comes from the place in Uganda where it was discovered. In 1999, it was found in New York City. Since 1999, it has moved westward across the United States.

5 West Nile virus Human Disease People get West Nile virus through the bite of an infected mosquito. People usually become ill 2 to 14 days later. Most people will not have severe symptoms and may not even notice them.

6 West Nile Fever Some people will get a flu-like illness known as West Nile Fever (WNF): Fever Headache and body aches Nausea and vomiting Some people have a rash WNF usually lasts several days, but may last up to several weeks. There is no treatment for West Nile Fever (antibiotics don t work!)

7 West Nile Neurologic Disease Some infected people develop a severe form of the disease: Meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord) Fever, stiff neck, and severe headache Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) Fever, severe headache, possible mental confusion, convulsions, coma. Muscle weakness or paralysis About 10% of people with neurologic disease will die. Others may have long-lasting or permanent nerve damage similar to a stroke. There is no treatment for West Nile virus infection, but supportive treatment may be needed.

8 Severe Disease and Death People over age 50 are more likely to develop severe disease than are people under age 50. For people over the age of 50, the risk of severe disease rises with increasing age. Most deaths due to West Nile virus occur in people over 50.

9 How do you know it s West Nile virus? The symptoms of West Nile virus are similar to other viruses or even stroke. Anyone with fever, severe headache, and stiff neck should see a doctor immediately. Anyone with convulsions, paralysis, or serious mental confusion or muscle weakness should see a doctor immediately. Although there is no treatment for West Nile virus, you will need a doctor s care if you develop the serious form of West Nile virus.

10 West Nile Virus Human Disease Summary Often the symptoms and illness are mild but it can be very serious No treatment (antibiotics won t work) No human vaccine Don t take the risk! Prevention is key!

11 Prevention Personal protection Mosquito control

12 Personal Protection Avoid Mosquito Bites! Public health encourages active, healthy behaviors. Prevent mosquito bites at dusk and dawn Use repellents with percentages of DEET proportional to the length of time needed The higher the percent DEET, the longer protection is gained. Children under 2 mo do not use repellents at all DEET DEET DEET DEET DEET For additional protection wear pants and long sleeved-shirts. DEET

13 Is DEET Safe? DEET has been used for years. DEET is well tested. DEET is the most effective insect repellent available. DEET keeps mosquitoes off of you, it does not kill mosquitoes. Repellents without DEET are much less effective and put you and your family at risk of West Nile virus.

14 DEET and Mosquito Repellent Higher concentrations of DEET protect longer! Determines length of protection 30% lasts about 5 hours, 7 to 10% lasts 2 hours Not much longer protection beyond 30% When should I reapply DEET? DEET works as a cloaking device, so you may still see mosquitoes flying around. Only reapply if they land on you. Who should use DEET, and how much? Everyone: Adults: Any concentration, depending on time exposed Children older than 2 months: about 10% applied by parents Pregnant women CAN use DEET

15 Mosquito Control Repair/replace screens on doors and windows. Recycle old tires. Fix sprinklers so that you don t have swampy areas in your yard. Consider using mosquito fish or mosquito dunks (BTI) in ponds or stock tanks.

16 Mosquito Control Mosquito control begins at home! Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers, flowerpots, old tires, etc. Discard or cover up items that you aren t using. Clean pet water bowls and bird baths weekly. Clean out rain gutters. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in a very small amount of water!

17 Report Dead Birds Notify Eagle County Animal Control 328-DOGS if you see a dead: Corvid (such as a crow, raven, magpie or jay) Raptor (such as a hawk or eagle) Owl The bird must have died within 48 hours and there should not be an obvious means of death (not killed by car or flying into window). Small birds, such as sparrows, wrens, robins, etc. are not good indicators of West Nile virus.

18 Community Education Community groups can assist in Fight the Bite! Spread the word, especially to those over 50, to wear DEET from dusk to dawn. Help neighbors with gutter cleaning, screen repair, trash removal etc. Dusk and Dawn Put Your DEET On!

19 What has Eagle County done? Mapped likely Culex mosquito habitat Surveyed habitat for vector mosquito larvae Trapped adult mosquitoes for identification Tested eligible dead birds for virus Tracked the presence of the virus in vector mosquitoes Spread the word to Fight the Bite by maintaining current information on Environmental Health's web site, doing presentations and providing educational materials to community groups (USFS, BLM, fire districts, ambulance districts, schools, child care facilities, senior centers, recreation districts, outfitters, resort associations, event planners, public information officers) as well as print and radio media Provided free DEET wipes for many area special events

20 The previous two years of surveillance has indicated we have a low risk of having WNV cases, however: Infected Culex mosquitoes can be present, especially in July and August and prefer irrigated pastures to lay eggs West Nile Virus has killed three horses in Eagle County We have had one infected Magpie We did find one infected mosquito near the Gypsum Ponds You can obtain larvacide from many hardware and feed stores Therefore, please avoid being bitten by any mosquito and vaccinate your horses at least yearly! Enjoy the outdoors and play smart!