Local News - June 2003

West Nile vigil urged

Published June 6, 2003

Mosquito population on the rise

By JEREMY ASHTON, LTN Staff Writer

As the rain continues to fall, the mosquito population is on the rise — and so is concern about the potential spread of West Nile virus.

State Health Director Leah Devlin issued a public health warning Wednesday, saying North Carolina citizens should “assume that the virus is here and take appropriate measures.”

West Nile is transmitted from birds to humans by mosquitoes. Devlin encouraged citizens to continue reporting dead birds to local health departments but said the state’s emphasis is going to be on protection and education.

A bird found in early August in Lincoln County tested positive for West Nile, but no human cases were reported last year.

The county Health Department’s Environmental Health Division has received reports of 18 dead birds since, according to Scott Sneed, environmental health supervisor. None were tested for the virus since it is known to have appeared in the area, but Sneed pointed out birds can die for numerous reasons other than West Nile.

Someone who comes across a dead bird should report it to the Health Department and dispose of it by burying it or double bagging it and throwing it away. No evidence exists of West Nile be transmitted directly from birds to humans, but Sneed recommends being careful.

Perhaps the best thing that can be done to reduce the risk of West Nile is to eliminate man-made sources of standing water, which mosquitoes need to breed and grow.

“People need to be very vigilant with keeping the standing water on their property to a minimum … because it makes for a worse mosquito population,” Sneed said.

The Environmental Health Division is implementing local rules on mosquito control that became effective in February 2002.

The agency recommends:

· Throwing away old bottles, cans and used tires,

· Cleaning leaf-clogged gutters,

· Cleaning overgrown ponds and stocking them with fish

· Emptying water from flower pot dishes

· Screening or covering rain barrels,

· Changing water in birdbaths weekly,

· Filling treeholes,

· Repairing leaky faucets.

According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, 4,156 confirmed human cases of West Nile were reported in the United States in 2002. The virus caused 284 deaths.

Just two confirmed cases of West Nile occurred in North Carolina with no deaths.

The symptoms of West Nile fever, which are usually mild, include fever, headaches, muscle aches and swollen lymph glands.

In the elderly, the virus can lead to West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, more serious illnesses that cause swelling of the brain or the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

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Staff Writer Jeremy Ashton can be reached at 704-735-3031 or jashton@ltnews.com.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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