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August 23, 2012

West Nile outbreak ‘one of largest’ in U.S.

Vigo County health officials warning residents to take preventative steps against mosquitoes

Tribune-Star staff report

TERRE HAUTE — Vigo County health officials are warning residents to wear insect repellent and drain standing water on their properties in local efforts to combat what national health officials call the nation’s largest outbreak of West Nile virus.

U.S. health officials reported Wednesday three times the usual number of West Nile cases for this time of year and one expert called it “one of the largest” outbreaks since the virus appeared in this country in 1999.

So far, 1,118 illnesses have been reported, about half of them in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In an average year, fewer than 300 cases are reported by mid-August. There also have been 41 deaths this year.

So far in 2012, mosquitoes carrying the virus have been found in 67 Indiana counties, compared with 34 counties in 2011.

“It’s really time for people to take this seriously,” said Sydney Elliott of the Vigo County Health Department. “It’s time for people to wear insect repellent, and limit exposure at nighttime. If you are out and weather permits, wear long sleeves and pants as well.”

County residents are also being encouraged to check for standing water in flower pots, bird baths, children’s toys — anything that holds water. Those are ideal mosquito breeding grounds, Elliott said.

Once the larvae are hatched, mosquitoes can be fully developed in 7 to 10 days, depending on the temperature.

Vigo County has had a positive test of 16 pools of standing water collected by vector control, she said. The posiitive tests show that the virus is present in the Wabash Valley.

The county’s vector control office began its annual mosquito spraying efforts on Monday evening, and those will continue most nights as weather permits or until the first freeze.

The schedule for the fogging trucks is posted on the county government website at www.vigocounty.in.gov under Health Department.

Elliott noted that if people see a fogging truck approaching, they should go indoors to avoid exposure to the spray. The vector control truck drivers are not allowed to run the sprayers when people are present. The spray is not harmful to breathe, but those with upper respiratory problems should take extra precaution.

The remaining fogging schedule for this week covers western Vigo County tonight, including rural areas north of West Terre Haute, Sandford, St. Mary’s, Whitcomb Heights and Ferguson Hill.

Friday’s fogging schedule sends trucks into subdivisions on the city’s east side and south to rural areas at Riley, Lakewood Subdivision and subdivisions along U.S. 41 south of the city.

Earlier in the week, fogging trucks were in northern county neighborhoods and towns; in Honey Creek, Linton and Praire Creek townships; and throughout the city.

Indiana health officials have investigated 10 human cases of West Nile virus so far.

Cases have been identified in Allen, Fulton, Hamilton, Hancock, Jackson, Monroe, Marion, Tippecanoe and Vanderburgh counties. Hoosiers are encouraged to take steps to protect themselves from West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. West Nile transmission within the mosquito population is much higher than in previous years.

“Nationally, we are being hit harder than ever before, especially in some of the southern states like Texas,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Gregory Larkin said Wednesday in a news release. “Here in Indiana we are seeing more counties earlier in the year with positive mosquito pools, meaning a greater risk to Hoosiers. One of the most effective ways Hoosiers can protect themselves is to eliminate areas where mosquitoes breed. Dump wading pools, bird baths, buckets and be sure to clean your gutters and discard any debris in your yard.”

West Nile virus usually causes West Nile fever, a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash. Some individuals will develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other severe syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.

There is no vaccine and no cure for West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis or Eastern equine encephalitis for humans.

“We’re in the midst of one of the largest West Nile outbreaks ever seen in the United States,” said Dr. Lyle Petersen, a CDC official.

Never before have so many illnesses been reported this early, said Petersen, who oversees the CDC’s mosquito-borne illness programs.

Most infections are usually reported in August and September, so it’s too early to say how bad this year will end up, CDC officials said.

They think the mild winter, early spring and very hot summer have fostered breeding of mosquitoes that pick up the virus from birds they bite and then spread it to people.

West Nile virus was first reported in the U.S. in 1999 in New York, and gradually spread across the country over the years. It peaked in 2002 and 2003, when severe illnesses reached nearly 3,000 and deaths surpassed 260. Last year was mild with fewer than 700 cases.

Only about one in five infected people gets sick. One in 150 infected people will develop severe symptoms including neck stiffness, disorientation, coma and paralysis.

For more information about West Nile virus, go online to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.

For more information about mosquito safety, visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s website at www.StateHealth.IN.gov/

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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