St. Charles County Missouri

St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 16, 2003

CONTACTS:
Contact: Nancy Duncan, Director-Division of Public Health 636-949-7407
Gil Copley, Director-Department of Community Health and Environment 636-949-7477

County Resident Infected With West Nile Virus
First 2003 Case of Human Disease Reported to County Health

St. Charles County - The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment announced today that preliminary reports indicate that a St. Charles County resident is a suspect case of West Nile virus disease. The resident is a 21-year-old male who resides in St. Peters. St. Peters mosquito control officials have been informed. The resident was hospitalized and has since been released. Notification came from the hospital treating the patient. This is the first suspected human case of West Nile Virus reported in St. Charles County in 2003. A total of seven cases were reported in 2002 with two deaths.

Mosquito control and surveillance efforts continue in the county. The Department of Community Health and the Environment stresses prevention and urges residents to take these steps to reduce the risk of exposure:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when outdoors in areas with a lot of mosquito activity.
  • Always use mosquito repellents containing DEET (follow product instructions carefully).
  • Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
  • Remove tires, buckets, and other water-holding objects.
  • Avoid spending time outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are apt to be most active and if you are outside at that time use mosquito repellant.
  • Clean birdbaths and change the water and at least once a week.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools or drain and cover if not in use; prevent water from accumulating in pool covers.
  • Unclog gutters and down spouts.
  • Make sure screens fit tightly in doors and windows.

Extensive West Nile Virus information and periodic updates can be found on the Department of Community Health and the Environment website at www.scchealth.org. Click on the link to the Metro West Nile Virus Information Center on the right side of the page. Information is also available by calling 636-949-7400.

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