Public Health offers advice on virus

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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  With Independence Day, the monsoon and rising temperatures ahead, summertime is officially here. 

Unfortunately carefree fun-in-the-sun days will be accompanied by the annoyance of mosquitoes and the season for increased chance of contracting West Nile Virus. 

WNV has already made its presence known in the local area. Since Jan. 1, Maricopa County has had five mosquito samples test positive for the virus. In 2008 Maricopa County reported six human deaths caused by WNV. 

Despite the danger it may pose, there are ways to minimize the chances and occurrences of it spreading. 

WNV is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on the blood of an infected bird or animal. When an infected mosquito bites a human, it can pass on the disease. 

WNV affects the central nervous system, and symptoms range from mild to serious. Only about one percent of bite victims develop serious disease, which may include symptoms such as high fever, headache, neck ache, disorientation, coma, muscle weakness, vision loss and paralysis. About 20 percent show mild symptoms such as fever, body aches, nausea and vomiting. About 80 percent of people infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all. 

The disease can be very dangerous for the elderly and people whose immune systems are compromised by illness or certain medical treatments. The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites. When you are outdoors, use insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Follow the directions on the package. 

-- Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants or consider staying indoors during these hours. Light-colored clothing can aid in seeing mosquitoes that land on the body. 

-- Install screens on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of the home. 

-- Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and turned on their sides when not in use. Backyard breeding sites can produce large numbers of mosquitoes and are difficult for mosquito control authorities to access, so citizens can make a big difference by eliminating standing water around homes. 

If you find a green pool or stagnant water, report it by calling (602) 506-0700. Maricopa County departments of Public Health and Environmental Services work closely to protect residents of Maricopa County against WNV. 

Although there is no evidence that WNV can be acquired by handling dead birds, it is best not to touch them with bare hands. Use gloves, a shovel or a plastic bag to place the bird in a trash bag for disposal. 

For more information, call the Public Health Flight at (623) 856-6176, or go to http://www.cdc.gov/ or http://www.westnileaz.com/. 

Courtesy of 56th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Flight