Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
MISSISSIPPI
6/13/2007
West Nile virus claims Madison County resident
By ANDREW UJIFUSA
Assistant Managing Editor
A Madison County resident has died from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, the first reported death from the illness this year in Mississippi.
The person had been previously reported as testing positive for the virus by Mississippi Department of Health.
The person's name has not been released by the health department. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passed by Congress in 1996, the department is prohibited from releasing the identities of people in such cases.
So far, three other cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the state. The cases have been located in Lawrence, Scott and Walthall counties.
West Nile virus is most prevalent during mid- to late summer.
According to Liz Sharlot, a spokesperson for the department, 80 percent of those who are bit by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus will never even show symptoms of the illness, which are similar to those of the flu.
The odds of actually becoming sick from the virus are therefore relatively small for most people, she said.
"It's much easier to catch a cold," she said.
Those who are most vulnerable to the virus include the young, the elderly, and those with a weak immune system, she said.
"If you do have a mosquito bite and there seem to be flu-like symptoms after you get bitten, go see your doctor," said Sharlot.
In addition to watching out for the symptoms, she said that there are four everyday steps that people can take in order to reduce the chance of contracting the West Nile virus.
Residents are encouraged to removing areas of standing water from around them homes, and to remember that the time period between dusk and dawn is when mosquitoes are most active.
Using insect repellant and wearing protective clothing when appropriate also serve to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes and thereby contracting the virus.
"You do those four things, you're doing pretty good," said Sharlot.
Other tips for reducing the mosquito population around the home include removing leaf debris, cleaning rain gutters and swimming pools, changing water in bird baths once a week, and repairing torn window and door screens.
http://www.onlinemadison.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=18805&TM=6757.664
6/13/2007
West Nile virus claims Madison County resident
By ANDREW UJIFUSA
Assistant Managing Editor
A Madison County resident has died from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, the first reported death from the illness this year in Mississippi.
The person had been previously reported as testing positive for the virus by Mississippi Department of Health.
The person's name has not been released by the health department. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passed by Congress in 1996, the department is prohibited from releasing the identities of people in such cases.
So far, three other cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the state. The cases have been located in Lawrence, Scott and Walthall counties.
West Nile virus is most prevalent during mid- to late summer.
According to Liz Sharlot, a spokesperson for the department, 80 percent of those who are bit by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus will never even show symptoms of the illness, which are similar to those of the flu.
The odds of actually becoming sick from the virus are therefore relatively small for most people, she said.
"It's much easier to catch a cold," she said.
Those who are most vulnerable to the virus include the young, the elderly, and those with a weak immune system, she said.
"If you do have a mosquito bite and there seem to be flu-like symptoms after you get bitten, go see your doctor," said Sharlot.
In addition to watching out for the symptoms, she said that there are four everyday steps that people can take in order to reduce the chance of contracting the West Nile virus.
Residents are encouraged to removing areas of standing water from around them homes, and to remember that the time period between dusk and dawn is when mosquitoes are most active.
Using insect repellant and wearing protective clothing when appropriate also serve to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes and thereby contracting the virus.
"You do those four things, you're doing pretty good," said Sharlot.
Other tips for reducing the mosquito population around the home include removing leaf debris, cleaning rain gutters and swimming pools, changing water in bird baths once a week, and repairing torn window and door screens.
http://www.onlinemadison.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=18805&TM=6757.664