News Release: West Nile Virus Confirmed in Birds in Saint Louis County and City

For Immediate Release:
July 29, 2002

Contact:
Michael Williams, Communicable Disease Control, 314- 615-1630
Pager 314-430-5885

City of St. Louis: Ellen Ellick 314-612-5143

West Nile Virus Confirmed in Birds in Saint Louis County and City

Saint Louis County, Missouri, July 29, 2002 - Saint Louis County Department of Health today received confirmation from the State of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services that birds collected in Ladue, Clayton, Warson Woods, University City, Crestwood and Calverton Park tested positive for the West Nile virus. This is the first time this year that the virus has been identified in the bird population in Saint Louis County. St. Louis City first identified a positive bird last week and today received notice of five additional birds testing positive. City locations included 63139, 63116 and 63108 zip codes.

The virus has also been confirmed to be present in mosquitoes collected in University City, Hillsdale and Wellston. These results were received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday. The Culex pipiens mosquito is the primary carrier of the West Nile Virus. It feeds primarily on birds but occasionally feeds on humans and other mammals.

To avoid mosquito bites and reduce the risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus, health officials suggest taking some simple precautions.

• Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening.
  
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and light colors whenever you are outdoors.
  
• Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.
  
• Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 35% DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-tolumide). DEET in high concentrations (greater than 35%) provides no additional protection.
  
• Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children.
  
• Whenever you use an insecticide or inspect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the product.

To report the location of dead crows, blue jays or hawks, please log on to www.scchealth.org or call Saint Louis County's Communicable Disease Control office at 314-615-1630 and leave a voice message. If necessary, calls will be returned during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Dispose of dead birds by double bagging and placing in trash. For more information on mosquito prevention, please call St. Louis County Vector Control at 314-727-3097 or log on to www.stlouisco.com.

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