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Features

Protecting yourself from West Nile virus

[JUNE 24, 2003]  URBANA -- The West Nile virus will soon become more active in Illinois. Although only two infected birds have been found so far this year, it is time to start taking precautions to protect yourself from this virus that killed 64 people in Illinois in 2002, said a University of Illinois entomologist.

The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites to humans, birds, horses and other mammals. Philip L. Nixon, Extension entomologist in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the U of I, said that although a variety of mosquitoes can carry the virus, the northern house mosquito is the most likely vector.

"A female mosquito picks up West Nile virus particles while feeding on an infected bird," he said. "Then, the virus is transmitted into the blood of another bird, human, horse or other mammal the next time the mosquito feeds."

Nixon said that most people who become infected will show no symptoms, but some may become ill three to 15 days after being bitten. Typical symptoms are a fever and headache. "In some, particularly elderly people," Nixon said, "West Nile virus can cause serious disease, including muscle weakness, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, coma or death."

A vaccination against West Nile virus is available for horses. Dogs, cats and other mammals can also get West Nile virus, but as with humans and horses, most will make a full recovery.

Some precautions can be taken to avoid being infected by the virus, according to Nixon. "This mosquito is primarily a dawn and evening biter, so restrict your outdoor activities at those times," he said. "Wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes and socks to reduce the amount of exposed skin. If you are outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, apply an insect repellent containing DEET.

"Although fine for skin application, DEET should not be ingested. For young children who are unable to understand that they shouldn't lick the material off of their hands or arms, use another product such as repellents advertised for child use or other repellents that don't contain DEET. Although these are less effective, they should be less toxic if ingested."

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Emptying the water from outside containers can help keep the mosquito population down. "The northern house mosquito breeds in containers of standing water," Nixon said. "It lays several black eggs in a mass about one-eighth inch across that floats on the water surface. The water typically has a large amount of decaying organic matter in it, giving the water a dark color and putrid smell. So, by keeping gutters clean of fallen leaves, removing old tires and other water-collecting debris, stocking water lily ponds with goldfish or minnows, and emptying and cleaning wading pools, birdbaths and pet water bowls weekly, you can greatly reduce the number of these mosquitoes in your yard."

The northern house mosquito is a small, medium brown, quiet biter that is most common in Illinois from mid-June through the rest of the summer and fall. "A quiet biter means that it lands softly on the skin and the bite is painless enough in many people that they do not notice it," Nixon said. "It may not buzz around your ear, and if it does, the hum of its wings is not very loud."

Information on mosquito control is available on the University of Illinois Extension website at http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/wnv/index.html. 

[University of Illinois press release]

Animal owners advised to take precautions to protect themselves
and their pets from monkeypox virus

[JUNE 18, 2003]  SPRINGFIELD -- Detailed instructions have been released to protect pet owners from the monkeypox virus and prevent the virus' spread in the domestic pet and wildlife populations.

The instructions, developed by veterinarians with the Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Public Health in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include a new directive for disposing of dead animals that may have been exposed to the virus.

"Dead animals showing symptoms of monkeypox virus should not be buried or placed in the trash," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "Instead, they should be put in a sealed garbage bag and placed on ice in a disposable cooler until the Department of Agriculture can collect them,"

Pickup of dead animals can be arranged by calling the Department of Agriculture's toll-free hot line at 1-866-427-7281.

The monkeypox virus has been confirmed in four Illinoisans who reported having close contact with prairie dogs sold by Phil's Pocket Pets, an unlicensed pet dealer located in Villa Park. Fifteen other cases also involving contact with prairie dogs are suspected. While the Illinois investigation into the disease outbreak --- the first in this hemisphere --- has produced no conclusive evidence that other animals have been infected, as a precaution all mammals should be considered susceptible.

Monkeypox virus originated in Africa and typically is transmitted by infected rodents to other animals and humans. Human to human transmission also is possible but has not been documented in the current outbreak.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, eye and nasal discharge, labored breathing, hair loss, swollen lymph nodes, and a blister-like rash.

Agriculture and Public Health officials recommend the following precautions if an animal displays any of those symptoms:

1. Isolate the animal from other animals and people.

2. Call the Illinois Department of Agriculture hot line immediately.

3. Wear disposable rubber gloves, a disposable mask like those worn by surgeons or a high-quality disposable dust mask, and eye protection when handling the animal, its cage, feed and water bowls, and bedding. The protective clothing protects the handler from infection through contact with skin lesions and the inhalation of infectious particles.

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4. Collect all bedding and disposable gloves and masks in a sealed garbage bag and call the Illinois Department of Agriculture hot line to have it disposed of as medically regulated waste. Do not place the bag in household trash.

5. Isolate animals that have been in contact with a sick animal and watch closely for symptoms of monkeypox virus for at least a month.

6. Disinfect household surfaces with a 3 percent solution of bleach (a 3 percent solution requires 74 ounces of bleach and 54 ounces of water to make one gallon). Laundry may be washed in a standard washing machine with warm water and detergent; bleach can be added but is not necessary. Care should be used when handling soiled laundry to avoid direct contact with contaminated material. Soiled laundry also should not be shaken or handled in a manner that may cause infectious particles of the virus to become airborne.

The transport of sick animals to a veterinary clinic or other location is not recommended, to prevent the unnecessary exposure of other animals and humans to the virus. However, if a sick animal must be moved:

1. Call the Illinois Department of Agriculture hot line.

2. Limit human exposure by having only one person transport the animal.

3. Keep the animal in a closed container, such as a cardboard box, and, if possible, in a separate compartment of the vehicle.

4. Immediately after the animal is delivered, clean the vehicle with the disinfectant described above.

5. Make sure the local health department is informed as soon as possible of the movement of the animal and the results of any examination.

Questions concerning these instructions should be directed to the agriculture hot line, state or local health officials, or the Centers for Disease Control Emergency Operations Center at 1-770-488-7100.

[Illinois Department of Agriculture news release]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

Health officials advise mosquito control and personal protection

[MAY 19, 2003]  As you know, mosquito season is upon us again. Last year, West Nile virus, which can be transmitted by mosquitoes, was prevalent in Illinois. Although we don't know what 2003 will bring, it is always best to be prepared.

First of all, no amount of larvaciding or adult mosquito fogging will kill all mosquito larva or adult mosquitoes. It can have a tremendous impact, but it is only one way to help eliminate the mosquito population. Each person must do his or her part. Since mosquitoes need only a small amount of water for breeding, look to your own back yard.

*Remove or empty water in old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, flower pots or bird baths

*Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use. Also, swimming pools that are not used should be covered or drained during the mosquito season.

*Change the water in bird baths and plant pots at least once a week.

*Level the ground around your house so water can drain away and not collect in low-lying areas.

*If you have an ornamental water garden, stock it with mosquito-eating fish such as minnows, "mosquito fish" or goldfish. They eat mosquito larva.

*Keep weeds and tall grass cut short; adult mosquitoes look for these shady places to rest during the hot daylight hours.

*Small impoundments of water may be treated with "Bti," a bacterial insecticide. Many hardware stores carry doughnut-shaped Bti briquets (Mosquito Dunks) for this purpose.

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Since we will not eradicate the mosquito, we must also be responsible about personal protection. You can protect yourself by:

*Avoiding places and times when mosquitoes bite. This is usually just before and after sunset and just before dawn. Each species has its own peak period of biting.

*Be sure doors and screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.

*Check to see that your mosquito repellent contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)

Generally, repellents with a concentration of 25 percent to 35 percent DEET work best on adults; use lower concentrations of 10 percent or less for children between the ages of 2 and 12. Do not use on infants.

For more information, go to http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/
index.htm.

You may also contact the Logan County Health Department at (217) 735-2317.

[Logan County Health Department news release]

Red Cross

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus links

LDN articles

• Local authorities watching WNV

Federal websites

• CDC WNV home page

State websites

• State WNV website

• Protect your home against mosquitoes
• State surveillance site
• Logan County surveillance site

Honors & Awards

• Logan County Health Department presents awards

Announcements

CICBC blood drives monthly at paramedics' building

Blood supplies across the nation are critical. In some areas, there is less than a one-day supply. Fortunately, thanks to the dedicated donors in central Illinois, these tremendous shortages have not yet touched our hospitals. However, the blood supply is a resource that must be renewed. Every three seconds someone needs a blood transfusion of some kind. To accommodate this constant usage, community members must continually help replenish the supply. Since a donor can donate whole blood only every eight weeks, Central Illinois Community Blood Center needs community members to come forward and help with this lifesaving effort.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center provides all of the blood and blood products for 12 area hospitals, including those in Lincoln, Hopedale and Springfield. No other organization provides blood in these hospitals. CICBC is a community-based blood center whose mission is to provide a safe and adequate blood supply for patients in local hospitals in a cost-effective manner.

When you donate blood through CICBC, you help to keep a safe and adequate blood supply for your community. You also help keep local medical costs under control.

Regularly scheduled blood drives are on the first Monday of each month (except Labor Day) at the Logan County Paramedic Association building, 1300 N. Postville Road. (See schedule.) Please help by donating blood.

CICBC also provides other services for the communities served, such as therapeutic phlebotomy at no charge for patients with hereditary hemochromatosis.

For more information, call Terry Bell at 753-1530.

[CICBC press release]

• July 2, 1-7 p.m., at Lincoln Christian Church, 204 N. McLean

• July 7, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• July 15, hours and location to be announced

• Aug. 4, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• Sept. 8, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• Sept. 24, hours and location to be announced

• Oct. 6, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• Nov. 3, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• Nov. 12, hours and location to be announced

• Dec. 1, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

(updated 2-15-02)

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