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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, April 30 2004
| Contact: |
Dr. Diana Yu, Thurston County Health Officer, 360-786-5581 X-16951# |
|
Dr. Bob Gilpin, Thurston County Veterinarian Coordinator,
360-943-1566 |
|
Darrell Cochran, Senior Environmental Health Specialist, 360-754-3355
x 7524 |
Warmer
Weather Could Mean West Nile Virus
OLYMPIA The return of warmer weather marks the start of mosquito season, which
could also mean the arrival of West Nile virus in Washington State.
Mosquitoes are carriers of the infection and can transfer it to some
birds, humans and horses. While there have not been any cases of humans
contracting the illness in Washington, there are a couple of instances where
horses have become sick.
Fortunately, horse owners can obtain shots to keep their animals from
getting the infection. Thurston
County Veterinarian Coordinator Dr. Bob Gilpin says springtime is the time for
inoculations. If an animal is being inoculated
for the first time, a series of two shots, three to six weeks apart is needed.
If the horse was previously vaccinated a booster shot is necessary. Horse
owners should contact their private veterinarians for information on West Nile
virus and to obtain the vaccination.
More than 60 suspected dead birds were collected from
Thurston County in 2003. However,
tests showed none of the birds were infected with West Nile virus.
A similar testing program for crows and jays is getting underway soon
for spring and summer of this year.
People should also take some precautions to avoid contracting West Nile
virus. Steps include-
§
Wearing
long sleeved shirts and long pants while outside.
§
Avoiding
areas where mosquitoes are present.
§
Using a
DEET based insect repellent, according to the package instructions, when
contact with mosquitoes is unavoidable.
§
Limiting
outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are more active.
§
Repairing
and using window and door screens.
Homeowners can also take steps to reduce mosquito
habitat around the home through activities such as cleaning standing water out
of their rain gutters, removing used tires or open containers outside where
water collects in them and by cleaning out bird baths once a week.
Those who want more information on West Nile virus
can visit these websites-
§
Thurston
County Public Health and Social Services http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/wnv/westnilevirus.html
§
Washington
State Department of Health
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Zoo/WNV/WNVQ&A2.html
§
Centers
for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile
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