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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2005

CONTACT: Heather Baer
Columbia/Boone County Health Department
(573) 874-7632

West Nile virus suspected in Columbia resident	
								
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - A Columbia central-southwest resident has been tested and is considered to be a probable case of West Nile virus. A number of birds and mosquitoes throughout the city and county have tested positive for the virus this summer.
     	In an effort to control the infected mosquito population and prevent further spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends spraying the geographic area in which the person was infected and one-half mile surrounding it.  The Columbia/Boone County Health Department (CBCHD) follows the CDC recommendations for spraying and has sprayed the area and will repeat this throughout the next week. The area involved includes West Boulevard and Rollins. The CBCHD sprays pesticide approved and recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. The pesticide used poses no threat to humans, pets or wildlife and contains the lowest levels of toxicity possible to effectively reduce the mosquito population.
	Residents are reminded to take the necessary precautions needed to protect themselves and reduce the mosquito population on their property. 
*	Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
*	Remove all discarded tires on your property. 
*	Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
*	Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
*	Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
*	Change the water in birdbaths at least weekly.
*	Clean vegetation and debris from edges of ponds.
*	Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. 
*	Make sure all windows and doors have screens and that all screens are in good repair.
*	Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
	Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 35 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET in high concentrations (greater than 35 percent) provides no additional protection. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children. Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the product.
	Symptoms of West Nile virus include a slight fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 15 days after exposure.  The West Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquitoes to birds, various animals and humans. Most people infected with the virus show no symptoms, although occasional infections can result in serious illness or even death.
	For more information on West Nile virus, visit the Columbia/Boone County Health Department page on the city's Web site at www.GoColumbiaMo.com  or call (573) 874-7346.

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