NEWS

For Immediate Release:
Contact:
Mike Williams, Ph.D., Manager, Communicable Disease Control, 314-615-1630
Ron Twillman, Manager, Vector Control and Veterinary Services, 314-615-8351

Death of Elderly St. Louis County Woman Attributed to West Nile Virus

Saint Louis County, Missouri, September 23, 2003 - Public Health officials report that an 83- year-old woman who was diagnosed with West Nile virus, has died. Other health problems also contributed to her death. This is the first death associated with West Nile virus (WNV) in St. Louis County this year. The woman, who lived in North County (zip code 63136), died September 14 after a brief hospital stay.

According to Mike Williams, Ph.D., manager of Communicable Disease Control with Saint Louis County Department of Health, this brings the total number of WNV cases (probable and confirmed) in St. Louis County to six (6) this year. "Most human infections are mild," Dr. Williams said. "Less than one percent of people who are bitten by an infected mosquito get seriously ill. Persons older than 50 years of age and those with compromised immune systems have the highest risk of severe disease."

Symptoms usually appear 3 to 15 days after infection, and include fever, headache, body aches, occasional skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infection may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and, rarely, death. If you have symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Until frost has eliminated the risk of mosquito bites, people should continue to avoid exposure by taking preventive steps.

• Eliminate standing water sites where mosquitoes can breed.
  
• Remove tires, buckets, and other water-holding objects.
  
• Change the water and clean birdbaths 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.
  
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and socks.
  
• Use insect repellents containing DEET (follow product instructions carefully).
  
• Make sure screens fit tightly in doors and windows.
  

Saint Louis County Department of Health continues to conduct a comprehensive mosquito control program, including monitoring, larvaciding, treating thousands of potential breeding sites, and spraying for adult mosquitoes. To find out where the spraying is scheduled each night, call 314-615-4-B-U-G.

West Nile virus infects birds and is spread through mosquitoes. Virtually all human cases of WNV are caused by mosquito bites. For more information on West Nile virus, log on to www.scchealth.org and proceed to the West Nile virus page. If you don't have access to the Internet, you may 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 314-612-4252. Jefferson County residents may call 636-789-3372. In Franklin County call 636-583-7300.

There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus in humans. In critical cases, intensive supportive therapy is indicated, often involving hospitalization, intravenous fluids, airway management, respiratory support (ventilator), prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia, urinary tract, etc.), and good nursing care. No human vaccine has been approved, but several companies are working towards developing a vaccine.

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