West Nile still threat in dry weather

Many of us are feeling the effects of this summer's dry start - lawns are turning brown, streams are drying up and flowers are wilting.

Even without wet weather, mosquitoes remain a threat - particularly because of their ability to transmit West Nile virus to humans. As we have done in years past, we can still drain, dunk and protect to reduce our risk of contracting West Nile virus this summer and fall.

West Nile virus first came to our region in 2002. Since that time, human cases of the illness have continued to decline in our area.


In 2006, Hamilton County had one reported case of the virus in humans, compared to 29 in 2002. While human West Nile virus cases are down in our region, they continue to climb in other parts of the country.

In Idaho in 2006, almost 1,000 human cases of the virus were reported and West Nile virus activity was detected in all 48 contiguous states for the second year in a row. These numbers tell us that the virus is likely here to stay.

Hamilton County General Health District staff began testing mosquitoes for West Nile virus this month. When West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes are identified, we will advise residents in those areas about steps they can take to reduce the mosquito population and prevent mosquito bites, including:

DRAIN

* During long periods of dry weather, look for items in your yard that might collect water when it does rain. Clean up litter and check tires, buckets, flower pots, wading pools and similar items that could create standing water and become mosquito breeding sites. An upturned bottle cap can become a breeding site for thousands of mosquito larvae.

* Frequently change water in bird baths and pet bowls.

* Drain small puddles after heavy rainstorms.

DUNK

* Apply mosquito larvicide, sometimes called mosquito "dunks," to areas of standing water that cannot be drained. The dunks are environmentally safe and won't harm pets. Purchase them at your local hardware store.

PROTECT

* Cut your grass and trim shrubbery.

* Make sure screens in windows and doors are tight-fitting and free from defect.

* Wear long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito hours - dawn and dusk.

* Use an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent such as those containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow the directions on the package.

West Nile virus is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms can appear three to 14 days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito.

The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a single mosquito bite remains low. The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50, although people of all ages can become ill.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your physician for evaluation.

* Serious symptoms in a few People - About one in 150 people infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

* Milder symptoms in some people - Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.

* No Symptoms in most people - Approximately 80 percent of people (about four out of five) who are infected with the virus will not show any symptoms at all.