Essex502
09-29-2003, 08:26 AM
West Nile Virus found in La Paz County
By John Gutekunst
PARKER - The West Nile Virus has been found in La Paz County. Tests on mosquitoes trapped near Cibola have confirmed they were infected with the virus.
Dave Boatwright, a sanitarian aide with the La Paz County Health Department, set the traps out on Sept. 5. The Arizona State Laboratory conducted the tests.
La Paz is one of 10 Arizona counties in which the virus has been found. While there have been no cases of human infection traced to mosquito bites within the state, there have been cases of encephalitis in horses in Maricopa County.
The primary means of transmission of West Nile Virus to humans is through a bite from an infected mosquito. The virus has been known to cause severe health problems in humans, birds and horses.
Cathleen Taber, a spokesperson for the La Paz County Health Department, said about 1 percent of all mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus. If an infected mosquito bites a person, he or she has a 20 percent chance of developing symptoms. Persons over age 50 and small children have the greatest risk of developing symptoms. Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands. In some cases, the viral infection can lead to encephalitis, a swelling of the brain. Individuals who suspect they may have West Nile virus are urged to contact their doctor.
The county health department is urging residents and visitors of Cibola and the surrounding areas to take extra precautions when outdoors. These include using mosquito repellent containing DEET and wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors at dawn or dusk. They also urge residents and visitors to empty any containers that may have standing water. Tires that contain standing water are a primary breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The arrival of West Nile Virus in Arizona has caused additional concerns about Centennial Wash near Wenden. The wash is clogged with vegetation, causing the potential for a flood similar to the one that occurred in 2000. The wash also contains standing water from rain and agricultural runoff. In memos to Health Director Marion Shontz and County Administrator Huey Long, Chief Sanitarian Joyce McCluskey said these were prime breeding areas for mosquitoes.
Boatwright said the level of mosquitoes is about normal for this time of year. He said there have been longer periods of mosquito activity in Wenden and Salome because of Centennial Wash.
Taber said the county is continuing to trap and test mosquitoes at various locations around the county, including Cibola, the Salome-Wenden area, and the football field in Parker. Aside from Cibola, mosquitoes trapped at the other locations have all been free of the virus.
Boatwright said he will also set mosquito traps in Ehrenberg. He said the county usually sets them out once a month, but, with concerns over the virus, theyve been setting them out twice a month. The county will trap and test mosquitoes until mid-October.
The health department has flyers and brochures about what residents can do to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus. The office is located at 1112 Joshua Ave., Parker, or call (928) 669-1100 or 1-888-526-8685.
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Oh no.......
By John Gutekunst
PARKER - The West Nile Virus has been found in La Paz County. Tests on mosquitoes trapped near Cibola have confirmed they were infected with the virus.
Dave Boatwright, a sanitarian aide with the La Paz County Health Department, set the traps out on Sept. 5. The Arizona State Laboratory conducted the tests.
La Paz is one of 10 Arizona counties in which the virus has been found. While there have been no cases of human infection traced to mosquito bites within the state, there have been cases of encephalitis in horses in Maricopa County.
The primary means of transmission of West Nile Virus to humans is through a bite from an infected mosquito. The virus has been known to cause severe health problems in humans, birds and horses.
Cathleen Taber, a spokesperson for the La Paz County Health Department, said about 1 percent of all mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus. If an infected mosquito bites a person, he or she has a 20 percent chance of developing symptoms. Persons over age 50 and small children have the greatest risk of developing symptoms. Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands. In some cases, the viral infection can lead to encephalitis, a swelling of the brain. Individuals who suspect they may have West Nile virus are urged to contact their doctor.
The county health department is urging residents and visitors of Cibola and the surrounding areas to take extra precautions when outdoors. These include using mosquito repellent containing DEET and wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors at dawn or dusk. They also urge residents and visitors to empty any containers that may have standing water. Tires that contain standing water are a primary breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The arrival of West Nile Virus in Arizona has caused additional concerns about Centennial Wash near Wenden. The wash is clogged with vegetation, causing the potential for a flood similar to the one that occurred in 2000. The wash also contains standing water from rain and agricultural runoff. In memos to Health Director Marion Shontz and County Administrator Huey Long, Chief Sanitarian Joyce McCluskey said these were prime breeding areas for mosquitoes.
Boatwright said the level of mosquitoes is about normal for this time of year. He said there have been longer periods of mosquito activity in Wenden and Salome because of Centennial Wash.
Taber said the county is continuing to trap and test mosquitoes at various locations around the county, including Cibola, the Salome-Wenden area, and the football field in Parker. Aside from Cibola, mosquitoes trapped at the other locations have all been free of the virus.
Boatwright said he will also set mosquito traps in Ehrenberg. He said the county usually sets them out once a month, but, with concerns over the virus, theyve been setting them out twice a month. The county will trap and test mosquitoes until mid-October.
The health department has flyers and brochures about what residents can do to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus. The office is located at 1112 Joshua Ave., Parker, or call (928) 669-1100 or 1-888-526-8685.
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Oh no.......