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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 10, 2002
| Contact: |
Doctor Diana Yu, Thurston County Health Officer, 360-786-5581 |
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Darrell Cochran, Thurston County Health Department, (360) 754-3355 x 7524. |
Thurston
County Officials Coordinate West Nile Virus Response
OLYMPIA – Thurston County officials are working with local, state and
federal agencies in coordinating a response to the West Nile Virus, which has
been steadily working its way west. Most
states in the nation now have confirmed cases of the sometimes-fatal illness
and its spread to Washington State had been predicted for this year or next
year. An infected bird was
found in Eastern Washington last week.
Thurston County Health Officer Doctor Diana Yu says the risk of West
Nile Virus infection is extremely low. “
Fewer than one percent of people bitten by a mosquito carrier will contract
the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control. (CDC)
Most of those who contract the illness will suffer only mild, flu-like
symptoms, but the virus also can cause a life-threatening brain inflammation
called encephalitis. While the
risk is low, it is prudent to be prepared and to take some simple
precautions.”
To avoid a mosquito bite you should-
ü
Make
sure you have screens on the windows and doors of your home.
ü
Avoid
going into mosquito-infested areas at dawn and dusk when the insects are most
active.
ü
Wear
long sleeved shirts and long pants when you go outdoors and use a DEET based
insect repellent on exposed skin areas.
You can also take some steps to reduce mosquito habitat on your
property.
ü
Remove
sources of standing water such as tires, cans, and other items that can hold
water.
ü
Change
water in birdbaths once each week.
ü
Clean
out roof gutters so the water flows freely.
Doctor Yu reminds property owners that drastic measures are not needed
in this situation. “The risk of
contracting the illness is very, very low.
We do not need to panic or take any extraordinary measures.
Right now we are entering the cold fall and winter seasons and that
means most mosquito populations will die off at least until next spring.”
Mosquitoes that bite an infected bird can then transmit the illness to
humans, horses, birds and other animals.
The virus CANNOT be transmitted from human to human or from mammals to
humans. Thurston County Public
Health and Social Services is cooperating with various jurisdictions and
agencies to look for birds that have died as a result of the virus.
In this area the affected birds are typically crows, ravens or jays.
To date, no infected birds have been found in the local area.
People who want more information on West Nile Virus, including how to
report a dead bird, can visit the Thurston County Public Health and Social
Services web site at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/westnilevirus.html
More information on West Nile Virus can be found
at the State Department of Health Web Site at http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Zoo/WNV/WNV.html
The CDC also has information on their web site at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/
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