Re: New Mexico: 5 human cases 2010
Re: New Mexico: 5 human cases 2010
For immediate release: Media contact: Deborah Busemeyer
September 28, 2010 Office: 505-827-2619, Cell: 470-2290
Number of West Nile Cases in New Mexico Climbs
Thirteen Cases from Six Counties so far This Year
(Santa Fe) – The New Mexico Department of Health announced today that New Mexico
continues to see an increase in the number of West Nile Virus cases. The Department of Health
has 13 confirmed West Nile Virus cases and is investigating several more potential cases. The
Department had previously reported a total of five cases in Do?a Ana (3) and San Juan (2)
counties.
The 13 cases come from the following counties: Do?a Ana (5), San Juan (4), Chaves (1), Curry
(1), McKinley (1), and Eddy (1). Ten of the patients had the more serious West Nile neurological
disease, including meningitis and encephalitis, and were hospitalized. Three of the cases had the
less severe West Nile fever. All cases have survived and are recovering.
In addition, three blood donors with no symptoms tested positive for West Nile Virus, indicating
that they were infected with the virus and recovered. The donors came from Do?a Ana, Chaves,
and Lea counties. Mosquitoes collected from local mosquito control programs have also tested
positive for West Nile Virus from Bernalillo, Cibola, and Do?a Ana counties.
Symptoms of West Nile infection are fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. In rare cases,
West Nile Virus can cause meningitis or encephalitis. If you have these symptoms, you should
see your health care provider.
“New Mexico is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities, but everyone needs to be aware that
mosquito bites can lead to illness,” said the Department of Health’s State Epidemiologist C.
Mack Sewell. “The virus is one of the few diseases where people can take a few simple
precautions, like using a repellent when outdoors, and be protected.”
To protect yourself from West Nile:
Use insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing when you go outdoors.
Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, or avoid outdoor activities during
dusk to dawn, peak biting times for mosquitoes.
Empty or eliminate water-holding containers where mosquitoes lay their eggs, such as
old tires, and regularly change the water in birdbaths, wading pools and pet water bowls.
Make sure rain barrels are tightly screened.
Have screens on your windows and doors or keep them closed.
Vaccinate your horses.
New Mexico typically sees most of its West Nile cases in August and September. There were
eight human cases of West Nile each year in 2009 and 2008.
For more information about West Nile Virus, including fact sheets in English and Spanish, go to
the Department’s website at
http://nmhealth.org/ERD/HealthData/westnile.shtml.
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http://nmhealth.org/ERD/HealthData/documents/westnile13cases9-28-2010_2_.pdf