News Release: Metropolitan West Nile Virus Update

For Immediate Release:
May 15, 2003

Contact:
St. Louis County Department of Health, Mike Williams, Ph.D., Manager, Communicable Disease Control, 314-615-1630
St. Louis County Department of Health, Ron Twillman, Manager, Vector Control & Veterinary Services, 314-615-8351
City of St. Louis, Larry Kettelhut, Bureau Chief, Environmental Health, 314-612-5309 or 5311
St. Charles County Department of Health, Gil Copley, Director, 636-949-7477
Jefferson County Department of Health, Dennis Diehl, Director, 636-942-3101 x104
Franklin County Department of Health, Conn Roden, Director, 636-583-7300

Metropolitan West Nile Virus Update

Public Health Officials Are Monitoring for West Nile Virus in Humans

Saint Louis County, Missouri, May 15, 2003 - Physicians and emergency rooms have been requested to immediately report all suspected cases of viral encephalitis, viral meningitis and other illnesses suggestive of West Nile virus (WNV). Patients with these illnesses will be assessed to determine if WNV infection is the cause. Public health officials in the St. Louis metropolitan area began surveillance this week (May 12) for West Nile virus in the human population. Early detection of the disease in humans will help them implement prevention measures, including mosquito control and public education.

West Nile encephalitis is diagnosed through blood testing. Several companies are working towards developing a human vaccine, but none has been approved yet. Most infections are so mild that they don't show any symptoms. The disease infects birds and is spread through mosquitoes. A diseased bird cannot infect humans - the only way for humans to become infected is through a mosquito bite (and in rare cases through blood transfusion, organ transplant and mother's milk). The chance of becoming severely ill from a single mosquito bite is extremely small.

Public health officials are also asking citizens to report crows, blue jays, or hawks that have recently died or seem to be dying with no apparent injuries. To report dead birds, log on to www.scchealth.org and click on the "West Nile Virus Information Center" then click on "Report Dead Birds" for instructions. If you don't have access to the Internet, please call your local health department. In Saint Louis County the phone number is 314-615-1630; in St. Charles County it's 636-949-7404; and in the City of St. Louis it's 314-622-4800. Jefferson County residents may call 636-789-3372. In Franklin County call 636-583-7300. Reports of dead birds, along with collection and testing of mosquitoes, help public health experts detect West Nile virus before the human population is infected.

Symptoms of WNV
Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands, stiff neck, disorientation and muscle weakness. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 15 days after infection. In severe cases there may be headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. People over 50 and those with compromised immune systems have a higher risk of severe infection. In rare cases the disease can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and may prove fatal. If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Prevention of WNV

To reduce your chance of exposure, take the following preventive steps:

• Eliminate standing water sites where mosquitoes can breed by removing tires, buckets, and other water-holding objects from your property.
  
• Change the water and clean birdbaths at least once a week.
  
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools (or drain and cover if not in use) to prevent water from accumulating in pool covers.
  
• Unclog gutters and down spouts.
  
• Make sure drainpipes from gutters and sump pumps are properly sloped so they don't hold water.
  
• Wear light colored, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.
  
• Use insect repellents (follow product instructions carefully).
  
• Make sure screens fit tightly in doors and windows.
  
• Mosquito control products for use in birdbaths, fishponds, swimming pool covers, and horse troughs are available online and at retail stores; use the right product for the right situation, and follow label directions.

West Nile virus (WNV) was first confirmed in dead birds in the St. Louis metropolitan area in the fall of 2001. Health officials anticipated its potential spread to the human population. Local public health agencies implemented a Metropolitan West Nile Virus Response Plan, to monitor WNV transmission and coordinate response measures. Saint Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles, Jefferson and Franklin Counties are working together in a cooperative effort to prevent West Nile virus from spreading to humans.

As of November 15, 2002, there were 129 human cases of WNV in the metro area (62 in St. Louis County, 56 in the city of St. Louis, one in Franklin County, three in Jefferson County and seven in St. Charles). Ages ranged from four to 91 years, with a median age of 53. There were 5 deaths attributed to WNV in Missouri in 2002. A number of animals including horses were also affected.

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