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July 25, 2008

Two cases of West Nile Virus found in Orange County

By Debby Schamber

The News staff writer

A warning has been issued to residents in Orange County - be ware of West Nile.

State officials recently informed the Orange County Mosquito Control District of two cases of West Nile Virus found in the area. These are the first positive isolated samples of mosquitos in the county this year, Patrick Beebe, director of the mosquito control district said.

The infected mosquitos were found during the week of July 7-11 in the north and south side of Interstate 10 and west of Highway 1135 and Doty Road.

“We don’t have any human or animal cases at this time,” Beebe added.

To prevent that, the mosquito control district will step up treatment of areas and follow up with additional collections and testing, Beebe said.

“The cycle is between the birds and the mosquitos now,” Beebe said. “The birds serve as a reservoir and then the mosquitos come in contact with them.”

The surveillance program collects mosquitos throughout the county on a weekly basis. The samples are then sent to the Department of State Health Services Bureau Laboratories in Austin. The results from the test generally take about a week before they are received by local officials.

However, Beebe warns everyone to be safe now.

“If residents have not been protecting themselves, now is the time to take protective measures,” Beebe said. “No matter where they live in the county.”

One of the first lines of defense against mosquito bites and exposure to West Nile Virus is the use of repellents containing DEET or picaridin when mosquito activity is present, Beebe said.

According to the Texas Department of Health, about 77 percent of the people in 2003 who contracted more serious forms of the infection did not use the repellents.

Other personal protective measures to reduce exposure to mosquitos are being indoors at dusk and dawn when many mosquito species are the most active. People should also wear light colored and loose fitting clothing to act as a physical barrier from mosquitos. Standing pools of water should be drained immediately, Beebe said.

Up to about one percent of people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will become significantly sick or show signs of symptoms.

Anyone can become infected with the virus. However, people who are age 50 or older are at greater risk. Especially those who have medical problems or a compromised immune systems. This group of people may develop the more serious forms of the illness such as encephalitis and meningitis, Beebe said.

Symptoms of the virus appear anywhere from three to 14 days after a person is bitten by the infected mosquito.

West Nile Virus infections are usually mild with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. More severe symptoms from the virus include headache, high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, coma and paralysis. Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their health care provider immediately.

Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2613, or dschamber@orangeleader.com.

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