Early Start for West Nile Virus Season

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Early start for West Nile season
INFECTED MOSQUITOES FOUND IN SAN JOSE; NO HUMAN CASES YET
By Vianna Davila
Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_9537928

The year's first batch of West Nile-infected mosquitoes has been confirmed in San Jose, the earliest insects infected with the virus have ever been detected in Santa Clara County.

The May 29 discovery, in the 95130 ZIP code, has prompted the county's Vector Control District to initiate ground fogging within a mile radius of where the infected samples were found, near Westmont High School, said Russ Parman, assistant manager with the district.

But, officials said, the early detection doesn't necessarily mean this year's West Nile season will be worse than the last.

In 2007, the county's first samples of infected mosquitoes were found in mid-July, Parman said. Later that month, a person was diagnosed with the virus, said Joy Alexiou, spokesperson for the Santa Clara Public Health Department.

A total of four people tested positive in 2007 in Santa Clara County; none of the cases proved fatal, Parman said. The virus can cause encephalitis, paralysis and death, but 80 percent of infected people never develop any symptoms, and few show severe symptoms, Parman said.

This year's early detection was slightly unusual, Parman said, because so far only four dead birds in the county have tested positive for West Nile - 10 less than the previous year to date.

Mosquitoes get infected because they find an easy meal in the birds, too weak to shake the insects away, Parman said.

West Nile virus was first
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detected in the United States in 1999. Those at higher risk for severe symptoms include people over 50, diabetics and people with weak immune systems, Parman said. Officials recommend insect repellent, staying indoors at dawn and dusk and wearing long-sleeved clothing when outside.

Last month, the district surveyed stagnant pools in the county, which are potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The district also hopes to knock out the disease with fogging, scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. Wednesday and last two to three hours.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED

An information session about the fogging is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 tonight at the Campbell Community Center, 1 W. Campbell Ave. in Campbell.

For more information, call the West Nile Virus hotline at (800) 314-2427. To report stagnant water, call the Vector Control District at (408) 918-4770.

 

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Re: Early Start for West Nile Virus Season

Weather calls for West Nile caution

Heavy rains in area have created breeding ground for mosquitoes.

http://www.thehj.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=32&ArticleID=23716&TM=21726.02

Kevin Howell
Reporter

Abundant rain in the area and around the state this spring has left plenty of breeding ground for mosquitoes that multiply in pools of standing water.
It has also opened the door to the possibility of West Nile virus that can be carried by mosquitoes.
Already in Marion County two mosquito groups have tested positive for the disease, and nationally eight cases of the virus in humans has been reported as close as Tennessee.
So far no cases have been reported in White County, but some communities will begin spraying programs to control populations, and health officials are urging residents to take precautions on their own properties.
"West Nile concerns are due to more abundant mosquito populations because of the rains," said Andy Breedlove.
Breedlove takes care of the Buffalo area as well as some lake resorts and swampland around the northern part of Lake Shafer in Liberty Township.
He said he is ready to begin spraying a synthetic pyrethroid three to four nights a week weather permitting. Pyrethroids are a group of man-made pesticides similar to the natural pesticide pyrethrum produced by chrysanthemum flowers.
"I'm just trying to get the information out to the public that we'll be doing this," Breedlove said, adding that the insecticide he sprays is safe for pets, wildlife and humans.
Breedlove's treatment mainly controls adult mosquito populations, but White County Health Department workers test for mosquito larvae where they hatch in standing bodies of still water like ponds and lagoons.
Environmental field investigator Chad Wharff has already made rounds to Burnettsville, Idaville and Monon areas.
"We went around and put out briquettes in ponds around Burnettsville, Idaville and near Rockland Flooring (north of Monon)," Wharff said in addition to other areas of standing water.
The briquettes float on the surface of the water and tend to follow floating batches of larvae as the wind and waves push them around. As the briquette floats, larvicide is released to kill the larvae.
In cooperation with Indiana State Department of Health Laboratories, White County Health Department will also accept dead bird samples, in particular members of the crow and jay families, and raptors like hawks and owls, to test for West Nile.
"If (residents) find a dead bird they can bring it in here," said administrative assistant Gwynn Rusinek.
"If they bring it in here we'll send it on to the state."
She said bird carcasses should be fresh or they can be frozen until they can be taken to the Health Department in the White County Building Annex at 315 S. Illinois St.
So far there have been no birds testing positive for West Nile according to the State Department of Health.
In addition to birds, West Nile can also infect horses and other mammals.
Since May 1, 3,514 mosquitoes from 18 counties have been tested but only the Marion County insects have tested positive.
In addition to health officials testing insects and birds and treating wet breeding areas, and towns and municipalities spraying for adult mosquitoes, state epidemiologist Dr. James Howell said residents should also be taking precautionary measures.
"This is a key time of the year when people should start ridding their properties of potential mosquito breeding grounds to protect themselves and their families from West Nile virus," Howell said.
Steps he recommends include:
Dispose of old tires, tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or other unused containers that hold water.
Repair failed septic systems.
Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed.
Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up drains.
Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish.
"There are many factors that can affect mosquito populations, including weather patterns," Howell explained.
"Unfortunately, these factors are impossible to predict ahead of time, so we must be prepared."
Howell also recommends avoiding the outdoors during prime mosquito biting times from dusk to dawn, applying an insect repellent with DEET, Picardin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants