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May 19, 2007:
Some of the states in the United States have
started taking measures against the West Nile
virus.
Health officials of Indiana have announced that a
mosquito pool has tested positive for the West
Nile virus in the state. This is the first sign of
the virus in Indiana in 2007.
A veterinary epidemiologist of the Indiana State
Department of Health said more positive virus
pools are expected in 2007 and that there would be
cases of humans beings infected by the West Nile
virus this year.
The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by
mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected
bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may
show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.
The virus usually results in a mild illness known
as West Nile fever, which can cause fever,
headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a
rash. However, a small number of individuals can
develop a more severe form of the disease with
encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological
syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.
There is no specific treatment for West Nile Virus
infections. Avoiding mosquitoes is the best
prevention.
The Indiana Health Department has asked citizens
to report to the department any sighting of dead
crows, blue jays or raptors for testing.
Health officials say that though people over the
age of 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness
and even death from West Nile virus, people of all
ages have been infected with the virus and have
had severe disease.
The Department of Health and Human Services of
Arkansas too has begun its statewide surveillance
for West Nile Virus in wild birds.
In 2006, Arkansas had 29 confirmed human cases of
West Nile Virus infection, which resulted in four
human deaths from the disease. Arkansas witnessed
28 human cases of West Nile Virus infection in
2005, which also resulted in four deaths. In 2004,
28 human cases were reported, with no deaths from
the disease.
West Nile Virus was first identified in the
Western Hemisphere in the summer of 1999. The
virus spread quickly across the United States. In
2002, there were over 4,000 human cases in the
United States, resulting in 284 deaths.
The following steps can be taken to prevent
mosquitoes from breeding in water bodies,
including water in small containers, such as tree
holes and tin cans, to large bodies of water like
lakes or marshes:
- Dispose tin cans, plastic containers,
ceramic posts or similar water-holding
containers
- Remove discarded tyres from surrounding
property
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling
containers that are kept outdoors. Make sure
roof gutters drain properly and clean clogged
gutters in the spring and fall
- Turn over plastic wading pools and
wheelbarrows when not in use. Change the water
in bird baths frequently
- Clean vegetation and debris from the edges
of ponds
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor
saunas and hot tubs
- Drain water from swimming pool covers
- Use landscaping to eliminate stagnant water
that collects on your property
- For protection from mosquito bites, make
sure that all windows and doors have screens.
One must stay indoors when mosquitoes are more
active – from dusk to dawn. When moving
outdoors, protective clothing should be worn
besides using mosquito repellent.
BY OUR PHARMA CORRESPONDENT
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