St. Charles County Missouri

St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 8, 2002

CONTACTS:
Gil Copley, Director, St. Charles County Department of Health, 636-949-7400
Nancy Duncan, Deputy Director-Public Health, 636-949-7400

Two More Residents Reported Infected With West Nile Virus
89-Year Old Male Dies From The Infection

St. Charles County - The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment announced today that two additional St. Charles County residents have tested positive for the West Nile virus. One, an 89-year-old male who resides in the City of St. Charles, has died from complications of the disease. The other reported case is a 55-year-old female who lives in unincorporated St. Charles County adjacent to Cottleville and St. Peters. The 55-year-old female was hospitalized but has been released. Four previous cases of West Nile Virus in humans were reported in September.

Although cooler fall weather has arrived, mosquito control and surveillance efforts in the county will continue until the first hard frost. The Department of Community Health and the Environment stresses prevention. Although the risk of contacting the disease is low, it can have devastating health consequences in vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Preventive precautions are easy to take and the County Department of Community Health and the Environment urges residents to take these steps to reduce their risk of exposure:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and socks when outdoors in areas with a lot of mosquito activity.
  • 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 downspouts.
  • Make sure screens fit tightly in door 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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