Sunday's Internet Edition, August 01, 2010.
Kingsville elderly man in hospital
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The case, which was confirmed by the state on Thursday, involves an elderly man from Kingsville who “is currently in the hospital under medical care with West Nile severe neurologic disease,” according to a press release issued Friday.
West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
The incubation period in humans is three to 14 days.
The highest risk factors are people over 50 years of age who can develop of severe case of the disease.
Only one out of 150 people infected with West Nile virus will develop a severe form of the disease.
City-County Health Unit Director Yolanda B. Cadena said a mild case of West Nile virus will exhibit symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches, occasionally a skin rash on the torso of the body and swollen lymph glands.
Cadena said symptoms of a severe case include headache, body aches, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, convulsions and muscle weakness.
“To minimize potential exposure to the virus, we asked the community to follow the Four Ds,” Cadena said.
They are as follows:
1. Apply insect repellent that contains DEET.
2. Dress in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside.
3. Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, times when the infected mosquitoes are most active.
4. Drain standing water in residential yards, remove old tires, flowerpots, tin cans, and any container that collects and holds water.
Cadena said residents should change the water in birdbaths and wading pools at least once a week.
“The City County Health Unit has been spraying for mosquitoes and has been larviciding the ditches that contain stagnant water within the city limits,” she said.
“We need citizens to examine their properties to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites,” the health director said.
“Clean debris from rain gutters; remove standing water from any container, tires, and repair leaks around faucets and air conditioners,” she said.
The City County Health Unit can be contacted at 592-3324.
West Nile virus is amplified during periods of adult mosquito feeding by continuous transmission between mosquito and bird hosts, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Infectious mosquitoes carry virus particles in their salivary glands and infect susceptible bird species during blood-meal feeding.
West Nile virus has been detected in dead birds of at least 317 species.Although birds, particularly crows and jays, infected with West Nile virus can die or become ill, most infected birds do survive, according to the CDC.
There is no evidence that a person can get West Nile virus from handling live or dead infected birds, the CDC said.
Persons should avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animals, and use gloves or double plastic bags to place the bird carcass in a garbage bag or contact their local health department for guidance.
Dogs and Cats
West Nile virus does not appear to cause extensive illness in dogs or cats, and there is no documented evidence of person-to-person or animal-to-person transmission of West Nile virus.
Because the virus is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes, dogs or cats could be exposed to the virus in the same way humans become infected. It is possible that dogs and cats could become infected by eating dead infected animals such as birds, but this is undocumented, the CDC said.
“There is no reason to destroy an animal just because it has been infected with West Nile virus,” the CDC states on its Internet website.
“ Full recovery from the infection is likely; treatment would consistent with standard veterinary practices for animals infected with a viral agent.”