There have recently been two confirmed cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection among Broome County residents. WNV was first identified in New York State in 1999. Since 2000, Broome County has had 10 cases.
As WNV is transmitted by mosquitos, the Broome County Health Department is reminding residents to take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites.
Rebecca Kaufman, Director of Broome County Public Health states, “The most important thing residents can do is take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites.”
Most people infected with WNV do not become ill. If illness develops, symptoms usually occur 3-15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. People with mild cases of WNV disease may develop fever, headache, body aches and occasionally a skin rash or swollen glands. People with severe cases usually have a sudden onset of headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, altered mental status, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, inflammation of the brain or the membranes of the brain and spinal cord or coma.
Patients ill with WNV are treated for their symptoms and provided supportive therapy. In cases of severe disease, supportive therapy may include hospitalization, respiratory support, intravenous fluids, and treatment of other infections that develop. People with WNV illness usually recover completely; death is extremely rare.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend the following precautions to reduce risk of infection from mosquito-borne diseases:
v Don’t give mosquitos a place to breed
Ø Mosquitos lay their eggs in water
Ø Remove standing water in areas around your home, where mosquitoes may lay their eggs.
Ø Once a week, items that hold water like buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flower pot saucers, and trash containers should be emptied and scrubbed, turned over, covered, or thrown away.
Ø Once there is water inside old tires, it is very difficult to remove. Don’t store old tires outside around your home.
v Tips on the use of Insect Repellent
Ø Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Ø DEET
Ø Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
Ø IR3535
Ø Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
Ø Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
Ø 2-undecanone
Ø Find the right insect repellent for you by using the EPA’s search tool.
v Tips for Babies and Children
Ø Always follow instructions when applying insect repellent to children.
Ø Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
Ø Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old; instead, dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
Ø Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
Ø Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.
Ø Adults should spray insect repellent onto their hands and then apply to a child’s face.
v Tips for Everyone
Ø Always follow the product label instructions.
Ø Reapply insect repellent as directed.
Ø Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
Ø If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
Ø Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
Ø Use permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents), or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Permethrin is an insecticide for clothing that kills or repels mosquitoes.
§ Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.
§ Permethrin-treated clothing provides protection after multiple washings.
§ Read product information to find out how long the protection will last.
Ø Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
v Prevent Mosquito Bites when Traveling Overseas:
Ø Choose a hotel or lodging with air conditioning or screens on windows and doors.
Ø If you are outside or in a room that does not have screens, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
Ø Buy a bed net at your local outdoor store or online before traveling overseas.
Ø Permethrin-treated bed nets provide more protection than untreated nets.
Ø Do not wash bed nets or expose them to sunlight. This will break down the insecticide more quickly.
For more information on EPA approved mosquito repellent go to: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents
For more information on West Nile Virus go to: https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html
