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| For more information contact: John D. Law For immediate release West Nile and La Crosse Encephalitis season is upon us The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, is gearing up for another season of mosquitoes and the potential return of the West Nile virus as well as La Crosse Encephalitis. West Nile virus and La Crosse Encephalitis cases occur primarily in the summer and fall, so the time to take action is now. "You can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood by emptying standing or stagnant water from cans, bottles, old tires, wading pools, flower pots, and other containers," said Loretta Haddy, state epidemiologist. "You can also clean out clogged gutters and drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats. In addition, making sure that all windows have proper screens to help keep mosquitoes out of your home." The most important factor for the mosquito season is that mosquito populations can be reduced or eliminated by removing all potential places for standing water – bird baths, pet bowls, tires, pots, cans or even bottle caps. There is no container too small when it comes to potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus. West Nile virus and La Crosse Encephalitis may be spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. They cannot be spread from casual human to human contact. Symptoms from the virus include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, confusion, weakness, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck. When outdoors during mosquito season, people can protect themselves by being properly clothed in long, loose and light colored clothing and by using mosquito repellants containing DEET. Products containing DEET should be used according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Never apply products containing DEET to the face and hands of children. In 2003, West Virginia saw its first human and animal cases of West Nile Virus. In 2004, West Virginia had no human cases of West Nile Virus, but 14 dead birds and four horses tested positive for West Nile Virus. Dead bird testing is set to begin on May 1, 2005. This year BPH will continue to monitor West Nile activity with dead bird and mosquito surveillance. Persons who see a dead bird should contact their local health department. Birds are tested for West Nile at the West Virginia Office of Laboratory Services (OLS) located in South Charleston, West Virginia. For more information contact your local health department or the Division of Surveillance and Disease Control at 1-304-558-5358, 1-800-432-1271, or www.wvdhhr.org/IDEP/a-z/a-z-nv.asp – 30 – |