Though July is the season for outdoor activities, local officials warn Audrain residents to protect themselves against mosquitoes and the risk of West Nile Virus.
The last confirmed case of West Nile in humans in Audrain County was in the summer of 2006. Since then, the county has continued its surveillance in humans and in birds, and is set up to do sampling if a mass amount of deaths should occur.
"We know we have West Nile in Audrain County, and have had for a number of years," noted Audrain City-County Health Unit Administrator Kevin Lowrance. "But it's not something that people need to be overly concerned about. They just need to take the proper precautions to defend themselves."
Human cases of West Nile Virus typically surface in July in Missouri, and can continue through October. Though the number of Missouri cases has decreased over the past six years the virus still poses the risk of serious illness, debilitation and even death.
Last year's total of 15 cases in the state was a record low in the seven years the virus has been present in Missouri. But, state health officials warn that the drop in 2008 likely resulted from cool, early summer temperatures as well as frequent rainfall, which had the effect of flushing out many mosquito breeding locations.
"The number of people affected by WNV disease and the location of intense outbreaks will change each year," said Dr. Howard Pue, the public health veterinarian for Missouri. "I am concerned that people are unaware of their personal risk, or have let down their guard. We all must do what we can to protect ourselves, our family and our community from WNV."
Nearly 450 Missourians have become ill and 24 have died from West Nile Virus since the disease was first reported in the state in 2002. One in five persons infected with WNV will develop symptoms, although most will have only mild, flu-like symptoms. For more, illness lasts a few days. But the illness can last several weeks, even in otherwise healthy people, and include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes even swollen lymph glands or a skin rash.
Pue warns that some people, particularly those over 50 and those with underlying medical conditions, can develop severe disease with life-altering consequences.
To defend against mosquitoes and the risk of West Nile Virus, Missourians can use these simple, but effective techniques:
• When outdoors, use insect repellents with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Re-apply if mosquitoes start to bite, always following label instructions;
• Wear long sleeves and long pants when mosquitoes are most active – between dusk and dawn;
• Repair or install window and door screens; and
• Eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water – this includes changing the water in pet dishes daily, rinsing out birdbaths and potted plant saucers, emptying children's wading pools, storing buckets indoors and turning in old tires for recycling.
Additionally, Lowrance reminds Audrain residents not to handle any dead fowl without some type of protective covering.
"Picking up dead birds is unsanitary," he said. "So, if you find a bird in your yard and want to get rid of it, we don't advise you to touch it with your skin.
"Instead, get a bread sack, put your hand inside the bag and use it to grab the bird up. Then, pull your hand out – leaving the bird in the bag – and dispose of the bird properly."
He also reminds citizens that birds die in the heat. So don't assume just because you find a dead robin in your yard, that it will be tested for West Nile. That procedure, Lowrance said, is too costly, and would only be done if a major outbreak of dead birds should occur.
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Though July is the season for outdoor activities, local officials warn Audrain residents to protect themselves against mosquitoes and the risk of West Nile Virus.
The last confirmed case of West Nile in humans in Audrain County was in the summer of 2006. Since then, the county has continued its surveillance in humans and in birds, and is set up to do sampling if a mass amount of deaths should occur.
"We know we have West Nile in Audrain County, and have had for a number of years," noted Audrain City-County Health Unit Administrator Kevin Lowrance. "But it's not something that people need to be overly concerned about. They just need to take the proper precautions to defend themselves."
Human cases of West Nile Virus typically surface in July in Missouri, and can continue through October. Though the number of Missouri cases has decreased over the past six years the virus still poses the risk of serious illness, debilitation and even death.
Last year's total of 15 cases in the state was a record low in the seven years the virus has been present in Missouri. But, state health officials warn that the drop in 2008 likely resulted from cool, early summer temperatures as well as frequent rainfall, which had the effect of flushing out many mosquito breeding locations.
"The number of people affected by WNV disease and the location of intense outbreaks will change each year," said Dr. Howard Pue, the public health veterinarian for Missouri. "I am concerned that people are unaware of their personal risk, or have let down their guard. We all must do what we can to protect ourselves, our family and our community from WNV."
Nearly 450 Missourians have become ill and 24 have died from West Nile Virus since the disease was first reported in the state in 2002. One in five persons infected with WNV will develop symptoms, although most will have only mild, flu-like symptoms. For more, illness lasts a few days. But the illness can last several weeks, even in otherwise healthy people, and include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes even swollen lymph glands or a skin rash.
Pue warns that some people, particularly those over 50 and those with underlying medical conditions, can develop severe disease with life-altering consequences.
To defend against mosquitoes and the risk of West Nile Virus, Missourians can use these simple, but effective techniques:
• When outdoors, use insect repellents with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Re-apply if mosquitoes start to bite, always following label instructions;
• Wear long sleeves and long pants when mosquitoes are most active – between dusk and dawn;
• Repair or install window and door screens; and
• Eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water – this includes changing the water in pet dishes daily, rinsing out birdbaths and potted plant saucers, emptying children's wading pools, storing buckets indoors and turning in old tires for recycling.
Additionally, Lowrance reminds Audrain residents not to handle any dead fowl without some type of protective covering.
"Picking up dead birds is unsanitary," he said. "So, if you find a bird in your yard and want to get rid of it, we don't advise you to touch it with your skin.
"Instead, get a bread sack, put your hand inside the bag and use it to grab the bird up. Then, pull your hand out – leaving the bird in the bag – and dispose of the bird properly."
He also reminds citizens that birds die in the heat. So don't assume just because you find a dead robin in your yard, that it will be tested for West Nile. That procedure, Lowrance said, is too costly, and would only be done if a major outbreak of dead birds should occur.
