West Nile Surveillance 2008

Summer is just about here and West Nile Surveillance begins the end of May. Mosquito trapping will begin May 27^th and dead bird collection started May 19^th.

Residents of Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, and Perkins Counties are asked to report dead birds to Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. Red Willow County residents are asked to report them to Red Willow County Health Department at 345-1790. Only Corvids (crow, blue jays, and magpie) and Raptors (owls, falcon, and hawks) that have died within recent hours will be accepted. (Click here to view birds to be collected.) 

Testing results will be posted as they are received from the state.

Learning about the virus and ways to prevent infection is the key. 

West Nile virus is a virus of the family Flaviviridae, found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. The main route of human infection is through the bite of an infected mosquito.

West Nile virus can cause mild to severe illness. Mosquito-borne viruses can affect people and not make them sick, but some get a mild, flu-like illness.  In rare cases the virus can affect the brain and spinal cord.  In even rarer cases the virus can be deadly.

Some birds carry the virus in their blood.  Mosquitoes that bite these birds can become infected with the virus. An infected mosquito can then pass the virus to people, as well as some animals, including pets. 

There is NO evidence that people get the virus from birds or other animals.

West Nile virus is cause for AWARENESS– Not PANIC.  The virus is not spread from person to person the way colds are spread.

The steps you take can help protect you from other mosquito-borne diseases, too.

Know the symptoms of West Nile Virus.

Milder symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Rash
• Swollen glands

Severe symptoms may include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Muscle weakness
• Confusion
• Tremors
• Convulsions
• Paralysis
• coma

Severe cases may require hospitalization.

Older people and others with weakened immune systems are most at risk for severe illness, but West Nile virus can affect anyone

What can we do to FIGHT THE BITE?!?

Empty sources of standing water

• Every couple days,  drain water from outside pet dishes, garbage cans, buckets, toys, flower pots, wading pools, pool covers, birdbaths and other objects that can collect water
• Discard any old tires and unused containers
• Clean gutters
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling bins
• Properly maintain pool, spa, or pond water
• Store or turn over empty containers
• Store tires inside (or take to recycling depot)

Keep mosquitoes off you

• When possible, stay inside at dusk, dawn and other times of heavy mosquito activity
• Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks.  Light colored clothing is best
• Keep window and door screens repaired

Use insect repellent properly

• Use a product with DEET (up to 35-50% DEET for adults; no more than 10% for children)
• Do not use DEET on children under 2 years of age
• Put repellent only on exposed skin and clothes (not near eyes, nose or mouth, or on cuts, irritated skin or children’s hands
• Wash exposed skin and clothes after coming indoors
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your health-care provider before using any chemical product

Know what your community is doing. For example, communities may be:

• Monitoring and testing mosquitoes, dead birds and dead horses (report dead birds and horses as instructed—don’t touch them with bare hands, since they may carry many diseases
• Controlling mosquitoes by killing larvae or adult mosquitoes (methods will vary)